Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

i know i wasted 90 mins of my life.

Better Late Then Never

Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

Robby Benson co-wrote and stars in this simplistic basketball drama about a short but energetic high school basketball star who graduates to a university team on scholarship, immediately butting heads with the hard-ass coach when he appears not to be living up to his reputation. Of course there's also a spunky female graduate student assigned to the faltering phenom as a tutor (no growing pains portrait should be without one). Derivative sports drama with a soft-spoken hero who refuses to give up, leading to his participation in the Big Game (complete with his new sweetheart in the stands). G.D. Spradlin is over-the-top as the coach; his menacing quality and hayseed-sheriff persona are far heavier qualities than this flimsy script can support. Benson constantly wants to manage our responses to him: he's the naïve kid who is conned by a nubile hitchhiker, he's the quiet guy who's shy around girls, he's the budding rebel who tells the coach "I'm gonna beat you!" We're not allowed to perceive any of his angelic attributes for ourselves--it's spelled out in the writing. Young audiences at the time naturally responded to the climax (which is well-mounted by director Lamont Johnson), but the movie is a connect-the-dots job. ** from ****

This entertaining, believable account of a gormless football player's freshman year at uni, was co-written by actor Robby Benson, who is perfectly cast in the central role. The support players are also first rate, particularly G.D. Spradlin as the coach. Lamont Johnson's inventive direction with its fluid camera work, fast cutting and splendid use of actual locations at Colorado State, reveals a suddenly acquired feeling for the medium that is absent from many of his previous films. The music score is a second rate imitation of that used in The Graduate, but it serves its purpose nevertheless. Donald Maxwell Morgan's fine location lensing (good to see that he is still going strong) and other credits are first-rate. Production values are unstinting with crowds of extras. Best of all, the screenplay is keenly observant, not only of the machinations and politics of college basketball, but even in regards to the patter between TV commentators. Annette O'Toole (good to see that she is still going strong!) is splendid as the girl who gives young Benson his comeuppance. And Melanie Griffth (also still going strong) is equally effective as a shakedown hitchhiker.

I saw this movie the year it came out, and loved it. It was a great "underdog prevails" story, but the romance was what gave it its warmth and charm. It was sort of in the same style as "Vision Quest", which came nearly a decade later. The soundtrack was wonderful too.However, I re-rented it in 2006, and it was so dated...it was really corny and funny. It's true that it was a timely topic in the late 70's when athletes were offered ridiculously extravagant packages to entice them to play for certain colleges. Now, not so much...Still, even after all these years, corny or not, it is a charming movie.

The movie is dated, but I still enjoy it. I guess I remember watching it the first time. The whole coming of age thing, growing up, etc.What has really impressed me is Robby Benson's development over the years. He must be a good athlete: basketball, hockey, running, all seem to come naturally to him. I don't see the telltale back shots of doubles.I enjoyed his acting and would like to see more. The last I heard he was teaching at USC. No not that one! The first one! The real one! The University of South Carolina in Columbia.I would like to see what he could do with a mature role now.