MovieChat Forums > Hoop Dreams (1994) Discussion > Why this film fails for me

Why this film fails for me

posted 8 years ago by M_Exchange
5 replies | jump to latest

It's probably a very bad sign when the thing that piqued my interest was seeing a very young Isiah Thomas in his Pistons gear (partly becuase I'm from Detroit) and Juwan Howard and Jalen Rose as kids.
I'm far from the only person who saw Juwan and Jalen at the Nike gathering and thought, "why can't we exchange one of these losers for one of them now?"
So, yeah-- I would have very much preferred that at least one of the kids succeeded. But they came across at the end as bitter losers -- and bitter before they even hit 20.
I know that they have since matured and gone on to help people, but in this moment in time they are almost intolerable, especially the Arthur guy-- Jesus christ, talk about letting your massive ego make you lazy and delusional.

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[–] J-No 8 years ago

The filmmakers didn't intend for you to necessarily like either individual (or their families). It was an in-depth examination of aspirations, heartbreaking loss, struggles, surprises, and many other social issues.

The best film of the decade.

[–] chas437 8 years ago

Indeed, they started out making a documentary about basketball, and they stumbled onto a sociological goldmine.

This film breaks my heart every time.

[–] wowjonesgg 7 years ago

I can't imagine a better written, more concise comment on this movie. Bereft of all the racial annimosity. Bravo

[–] leelee_206 8 years ago

hmmm I agree with J-no. I love the film. I dont think they were losers. It shows dreams they had and not every movie is gonna have a happy ending. Pingatore only cared about how good they could hoop for the school and NOT their academics. Arthur & William had tough lessons to learn. Luckily, they both went on to things they wanted to do even though they didnt make it to the NBA.

[–] Thomas-FordJr-1 7 years ago

Guys like Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, and Jalen Rose, were three of the top high school players in the country, when they were Freshmen. The were the definition of Blue Chip players. EVERY damn college basketball power in the nation wanted them.

A documentary about them, or players of their caliber, would have been too easy. They dominate in HS, dominate in College, and go to the NBA, end of story.

William and Arthur, were decent players, good enough to play in college, but not A-1/Blue Chip prospects. They were basically above average HS basketball players, who dreamed out going to the NBA. They were just like 99% of the kids playing basketball, who don't make it. And because of this, it makes their journeys far more interesting. It shows how most kids have to face that reality that they won't be playing basketball for a living.