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By
FRANK BEHRENS
When they saw my DVD copy of
"Radio" on my dining room table, two of my young
students (I tutor math) commented on how much they
wanted to see the film. Intrigued, I watched it
with my wife and found it engrossing mostly
because of the incredible characterization
achieved by Cuba Gooding, Jr. as the mentally
handicapped young man (his age is never quite
established) nicknamed Radio, who wants
desperately to belong to some group, in this case
the football and basketball teams at the high
school. As the school principal puts it to the
coach (Ed Harris) who is sponsoring and supporting
him, the question is this: is he doing this for
the good of Radio or to give the team a glorified
mascot?
While it is all very touching, I'm afraid it
follows the formula demanded by such films. All
but the coach and his mother are against this
retarded black youth, the coach fights for the
man's dignity and right to belong, one townsman
and his son are the villains, and after a
confrontation there is the obligatory happy
ending. Now this film is based on an actual story
(revealed in a very good bonus feature) and there
was a happy ending. But in the confines of
a 109-minute film, it is all too facile.
Still this Columbia Pictures DVD of "Radio" is
decidedly worth watching, and be sure to catch the
bonus material that is included. The picture is in
widescreen (1.85:1 ratio) and you can play the
soundtrack or use the subtitles in English or
French. You can also watch the film with a
commentary by Director Mike Tollin. Fine family
viewing and (again) incredible acting by Gooding. |
