Let's be realistic.

A Masterpiece!

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

As a swimmer, I have to say this was an entertaining movie. First, the story of PDR is one that is well-known to swimmers in PA, and it's a story that should be shared with a larger audience. Second, as someone else mentioned, the swimming scenes were very realistic- the good swimmers actually swam well- which is probably a first in cinematic history! Finally, it is a movie of a group overcoming tremendous odds- and, I can tell you that PDR is truly a powerhouse of a team today. Thus, it's a movie that leaves you with a sense of optimism about humanity. So, although I know very little about scripts, cinematography, etc., I do know a lot about swimming and can say from that perspective that this is worth a watch!

Sometimes a movie is not technically good, but it is still worth watch anyway. I generally find that sports movies fall into that category.The script and the direction in this film left a lot to be desired, and the actions was not always first rate - largely, I believe, because of the script and direction, but I still felt inspired after watching the film and was pleased at the time spent.I do like Terrence Howard, and thought him great in both Hustle & Flow and Crash. I wish he has better dialog and direction here, but he did the best he could with what he had to work with and gave us an enjoyable performance.I am not a big fan of Bernie Mac, but did enjoy his performances in Mr. 3000 and Bad Santa. He was superb here and i thought he gave the best performance of his career.Kimberly Elise (The Great Debaters, John Q) was also enjoyable, and Tom Arnold was a real jerk.It will touch your heart.

In fact this movie isn't great. it isn't that bad either. certainly, it is not a 2.6 - 3.2 movie. more like a 6.5. I'd vote 10 just to bring up the average. But it would be silly. let's give it a 7.Back to the movie, though, it's one of the few where swimming is featured, instead of the statutory American sports. A nice change. I didn't know of Jim Ellis, and don't know if its team really managed to win the city championship after just a few month's training. It looks unlikely to me.Yet, the film is watchable, and it nicely shows that real people aren't (morally) black or white.

Great Film, first of all! I coach swimming and Ellis is a role model in my world. But I wanted to address a few things another poster said.One, at the final meet, you will notice that ALL the teams had very small teams. Look at the point accumulation, and that is obvious. Also, back then there were a very limited number of events, with each team only allowed to swim ONE swimmer per event. It is entirely possible for a small team to take the title as that is all that was brought to these meets...A small, select few.Back in the 70's the sport was not broken up into boys and girls events, not to mention training was the same for both boys and girls back then. Now you will find more emphasis is put on cardio (for endurance) for the girls, and the boys will lift weights for power. Do not get me wrong, BOTH will do cardio and lift, but boys and girls often are taught to emphasis different things these days. Back then, not so. The idea of a girl beating the boys, is certainly not far fetched.As to the flip turn debacle...after a flip turn you should NOT be disoriented, unless you don't know what you are doing. The lanes were narrower back then as well, it is easy to kick someone IF you are intending to do it.IF you like swimming, this is a pretty accurate portrayal of what Ellis went through, how he coached his kids and WHY PDR is STILL a powerhouse to this day.