GRIDIRON GANG

US, 2006, 120 minutes, Colour.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Xzibit, L. Scott Caldwell, Leon Ribby, Kevin Dunn, Jade Yorker.
Directed by Phil Joanou.

The title is pretty straightforward. Yes, it is an American football movie. And, yes, it is a film about gangs. And, as with this kind of film, it is based on a true story.

Actually, it is one of those strong motivational films, this time aimed at members of US city gangs (especially African Americans), offering them the possibility of another way of life, some kind of personal affirmation and an experience of achievement. To that extent, interested parties in the audience will be moved by it; uninterested parties will remain uninterested.

The violence inherent in inner city neighbourhoods is highlighted and deplored. Young men with potential succumb to peer pressure, pick up their guns and shoot or are shot. In between is prison. Statistics are given at the opening of the film about how more than 70% of young criminals re-offend.

However, this is the story of a man who works in a prison, is dissatisfied with the punishment meted out and the failures in rehabilitation. He himself has a history of clashing with his father who continually put him down. Now, he is a father-figure to many of the young men with a blend of the strong arm and the encouraging gesture.

He is a football coach. He thinks that if the young men can be trained, recognise their skills, work as a team and play competitively, it cannot be (at least) any worse than the usual styles of imprisonment.

Needless to say, he makes his points, selects a number of recalcitrant types who discover that they are worth something. There are also a number of matches where they show their skills – as well as provide some suspense as to whether they will win the match or not.

The father-figure is played with some authority and with some warmth by Dwayne Johnson, who used to the known by his nickname, The Rock. Johnson can do action (Scorpion King, Doom) as well as comedy (Be Cool, Southland Tales) and is a strong foundation for this inspirational story.

1.The impact of the film? In the United States? With its specific target audience? Young offenders? Juveniles? Sports lovers? African Americans? Those involved in social welfare? Rehabilitation of Juveniles? Successful? For non-Americans, for those not interested in the issues?

2.The setting, the city, the streets, shootings? Juvenile detention centres? The sports fields, the arenas, dressing rooms? Authentic feel? The musical score?

3.The title, the reference to the 2003 documentary? (And the images at the end of the film from the documentary?) An actual story – a success story about recidivism and rehabilitation?

4.The statistics given at the opening of the film, more than seventy percent of juveniles re-offending? The reaction of the authorities? Sean Porter and his comments? The authority figures? The proposal about the football team? The wariness, Porter saying that it would not be worse than the present situation? Their reluctantly allowing the experiment? Observing it? The success?

5.Porter and the performance by Dwayne Johnson? His wrestling and sports background? His films? Persuasive as Sean Porter? A human performance? Xzibit as Malcolm Moore? Their working together?

6.The background of the shootings, the young men in the detention centre, the fights in the dormitory, Porter’s intervention, their being put in solitary? His warnings? Their going out, the chips on their shoulders, re-offending? The gangs, the peer pressures? Families, grieving mothers? An authentic background for the experiment?

7.The group of young men, their attitudes? Their relationship with Sean? The problem of affirmation? Belief in themselves? Willie Weathers as the test case? His background, peer pressure, shootings? His returning to the centre? His sullen attitudes? Not believing in himself?

8.The choosing of the candidates for the team? The explanations? The many scenes of training? The role of Sean Porter, Malcolm Moore, discipline, affirmation?

9.The match sequences, the explanation of the different ways of play, the different members of the team? White and black? The large African American and his contribution? The white player? The build-up to the end of the match? The suspense with the time? The explanation of the play – and success? Sean and Malcolm and their support?

10.The authorities, their final agreement with the experiment?

11.The detail of the film, the detail of the characters, their interactions, coach and team, team playing, opponents?

12.The finale – and their not winning the final match? But their playing like champions?

13.The value of this kind of motivational film? Serving as inspiration?