As I grow older and hopefully wiser, I catch myself watching movies with a different view than I use to. I love action movies; however I am always watching the characters to see the personality traits portrayed and wondering how many people actually live this way.
There are some great movies with some great points. Then there are some movies that are not so good and doesn’t drive home much of a point at all. I guess it all depends on how you relate to the actors and the characters they are portraying.
One of the best, absolutely the best, I have ever seen is the movie called “Hoosiers”. It is about a small time basketball team in Indiana in 1951-52. The film is tremendous in the way it brings people together to accomplish a common goal. The goal is to have the best high school basketball team they can have and to achieve more victories than they did the year before.
However this movie is more than about winning. It gives a lesson in second chances, toughness, discipline, fairness, devotion, desire, team work, respect, excitement, and attitude. This is a movie that portrays fairness to individuals that has otherwise been written off as troublemakers by many. It shows people looking beyond their past or their troublesome present to help them. We are told in Psalm 103:10 how our Lord treats us in showing fairness to us and how we should treat our fellow man.
It is about a team that is committed to fair play through its belief in God with a prayer and devotional spoken before every game. It shows a student body respectful of the national anthem and the flag of the United States. It displays what a town can do if it sticks together and works for the common good of all concerned.
Sure, the people had their disagreements and many didn’t like change or new ideas until certain consequences were able to put their problems aside and move forward together. A new coach was brought in and immediately the townspeople questioned his ability. He had all the tools of a good coach, however his temper had gotten him into trouble and he was banned from coaching in his state (New York). No one knew this except his friend, who was the principal of this small Indiana school. The principal gave him a second chance.
The coach brought with him a mental toughness about the game the people were not use to. His new practice techniques went against the norm and were not readily accepted. His style of play was questioned by most; however some were able to respect him because of their knowledge of the game.
He taught work ethics, team work, discipline, and dedication to a team of eight players. After they bought into his system their play carried them to new heights and the rewards were above and beyond their wildest dreams.
The coach was hard headed and stubborn. His attitude was stern but fair. He demanded respect! With all of these hard attributes his heart was still in place and he had compassion for others, which seemed to be displaced because all of his other features were more noticeable. He gave a second chance to the town drunk, who had wisdom of the game. Winning produces positive results and with the leadership of this new coach this small school, with an enrollment of 64, took on one of the largest schools in the state in the championship game. Reaching this plateau was something unimaginable for most of the players much less the townspeople. Each person on the team did their part and as a team they accomplished what no other small Indiana team could. The game was one-sided in the beginning until the coach listened to his players, which was totally uncharacteristic for him, and the game turned around. Listening became a strong ally for him that day and as a united team working for one common goal a state championship became a reality.
Together they reached goals set and a future was forever set in the minds of a few people. It doesn’t matter how small a town is, it can accomplish much, if everyone works together and strives for the same result.
