I’m not sure whether Coach Carter counts as a ‘hidden’ gem but in my opinion it is definitely underrated which is justification enough to make it the next instalment in my Hidden Gem feature.

In the late nineties, Ken Carter accepts the job as the basketball coach for his old high school in a poor underprivileged area of Richmond, California. Having grown up in the area, Ken Carter is aware of the challenges that his students face but is determined to, not only improve the team’s poor performance on the basketball court, but also in the classroom, by asking his players to sign an academic contract committing to achieving a certain grade point average and adhering to a dress code on game days.

Coach Carter begins to see success on the court, quickly racking up a series of wins but when he discovers that his team are not meeting the terms of their contracts the entire team and locks up the gym, sacrificing their undefeated win streak, much to the outrage of the team, the school and the local community.

As you would probably expect, Samuel L. Jackson delivers a powerhouse performance and although it is a little more understated and subtle than some of his other more familiar roles it is no less impactful. His commanding presence on screen demands respect not only from his players but also from the audience, you can’t help but want to be a better person when you watch him.

Alongside his brilliant portrayal of Carter, Jackson also acts as something of a coach and mentor to the young and largely inexperienced cast, including a feature film debut from Channing Tatum whose turn as Jason Lyle does nothing to indicate the heartthrob star that he would become.

Each of the young athletes have a story of their own, their own personal challenges and demons that have the potential to hinder their already limited chances of success in life, and each young actor portrays it well.

Success on the court, along with his impressive academic achievements gives Kenyon Stone a better chance than most at receiving a college scholarship but an unplanned pregnancy puts additional pressure and responsibility on every choice he makes. Despite being the star player, Junior Battle’s learning difficulties dramatically hinders his likelihood of success after high school.

Although each young actor hold their own separately on the screen, the only one for me who can stand up against Jackson is Rick Gonzalez’s turn as troubled Timo Cruz, a young man who is a victim of circumstance, bad influences and the social climate of the neighbourhood he lives in.

As with all films worth watching, Coach Carter is more than just brilliant performances and a great story but is also visually appealing. Shot from multiple angles, cinematographer Sharone Meir manages to achieve what is usually impossible in sports movies, immersing the audience in the action of the game.

On the surface Coach Carter is a story about basketball but at it’s core it is a message of hope. A reminder that our attitudes and choices can shape and influence our lives for the better, all it takes is the right type of person person to show us the way.

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