User reviews

This is a great heartwarming story that the whole family can watch and enjoy, both young and old, which is rare! It is even made better by the fact that this is based on a true story. I love movies that remind us of and reinforce the good in humanity.

This film won a CAMIE award, which stands for "Character and Morality in Entertainment", which recognizes movies that are entertaining and uplifting. I didn't even know this award existed until this movie won one. (If you like to see inspiring movies, check out their website for past winners at camieawards.org)

This story, from the writer of "The Rookie", is inspired by real events in the life of a mentally-challenged man named Radio (Gooding Jr.), who won the heart of a high school football coach, (Harris) a South Carolina football team and eventually the town of Anderson, SC. The story explores how Radio overcomes his handicap and personal struggles through kindness and compassion from Coach Harold Jones.

Some people will find this too sentimental and cheesy. But if you like positive messages and stories of hope and overcoming adversity, you will love this movie, as I did.

Can a mentally challenged black youth be a catalyst to unite people in a South Carolina town? The answer appears to be that in spite of his handicap, James Kennedy, understood much more than what he was given credit for and went to become a fixture in the sports scene. Also, the film is saying how many of us overlook people with problems that can be helped if only we have the patience Coach Jones showed to the young man because of his own guilt in his heart.

"Radio", directed by Michael Tolllin, is a formula film inspired on a true story. Yet, the movie is not a complete failure because of the inspired performances the director was able to get from his wonderful cast.

Coach Jones is instrumental in getting the young man, who is called Radio because his passion for collecting them, involved in sports, a passion he discovers in this retarded man who has had only hard knocks in his young life. Coming from a poor background, Radio, lives with his mother who is protective of him and questions the coach's intentions. Radio is seen by the school kids as a mascot, at first, then, his sunny disposition wins him the acceptance of everyone because he is a good person without an ounce of malice in his body.

The film owes a lot to Ed Harris and Cuba Gooding Jr. who make a great pair as the coach and Radio. Mr. Harris, one of the best actors of our times is never boring in anything he graces with his presence. He gets the essence of the principled coach who sees the possibility to make amends for something that bothers him from his past. Cuba Gooding Jr. is also at his best portraying the mentally challenged young man.

The supporting cast is excellent. S. Ephata Merkerson, one of the best actresses of her generation, does interesting work as the mother of Radio. Alfre Woodard, another good actress plays the high school principle with style. Debra Winger, only has a few scenes in the film.

"Radio", while being sentimental, will warm anyone's heart because it shows how we tend to see some people are in our society that we know nothing about and how quick we are to judge them. Michael Tollin puts a lot of ideas in the proper perspective for us.

I really enjoyed Radio and think it was one of the nicest movies I have seen. I think it a movie for everyone and teaches many lessons about life. I was also amazed to find out that the move was based on a real man. With all the tough road blocks Radio came across he continued to move forward even though the future was uncertain and he didn't have the mental capacity to understand much around him! I thought that Cuba Gooding Jr. played a tremendous role and should win an Oscar for this. I felt for him so much and it made me cry because of some of the hell he went through. I also thought Ed Harris played an incredible role as the coach. This movie really moved me and made my laugh, cry and ultimately feel good at the end! What a movie!

Not much to it but a validation of small town values and the embracing of a mentally challenged young man into its heart.

I read some of the reviews and was surprised at some of the hostility it engendered. I felt Cuba Gooding handled the part with dignity and respect unlike Sean Penn's drooling fool portrayal in "I am Sam."

The fact that this is based on a true story makes it all the more heartwarming. Sports are taken seriously in small town high school America (and elsewhere, I suspect) and I felt the portrayal of these competitive students opening their hearts to one less fortunate rang true, at least for me.

The coach was never forced to choose between his daughter and Radio but rather came gently to the decision himself under Radio's loving and open ways. Very well done to all. 7 out of 10.

Debra Winger, we need more of you in pictures!

The picture deals with a mentally handicapped young man (Cuba Gooding) . He's taken under the wing a expert trainer (Ed Harris and married to forgotten Debra Winger) of a high school and takes deeply interest with him . He's nicknamed ¨Radio¨ because he likes listening the radio so much . In the beginning he suffers numerous jokes and misfortunes in charge of the team members but his goodness and kindness become him into a great inspiration for his community .

It's a brilliant and moving story , although being sometimes slow moving but relies heavily on the continued relation among them , but it doesn't make tiring . However , being amusing and entertaining , though overly sentimental . In the picture is developed some ethics and moral issues such as friendship , helpless youthful , familiar assistance.. ..narrated in nice sense of ductility and sensibility . Because the relationship between Radio and the town is ongoing , even up until the present day , the screenwriter choose to compress the highlights of the relationship to a one-year period . Cuba Gooding is terrific , he plays perfectly the severally mentally retarded young man , making a perceptible and enjoyable interpretation . In addition , Ed Harris acting as the good coach is top-notch . Sensational and awesome musical score by the great James Horner (Windtalkers , A beautiful mind) . Excellent cinematography by Don Burgess (Spiderman , Terminator 3) , he's Robert Zemeckis's usual cameraman . This film based on real deeds was well directed by Michael Tollin . Rating : Better than average . It's a winner for Cuba Gooding and Ed Harris fans .

The fact that the movie is based on a true story contributes to a better and, of course, more realistic experience and keeps the viewer focused on the basic theme of the movie. The story is filled with unexpected twists which keeps the viewer at all times from figuring the ending out. In one moment you think that something happens to Coach Jones or Radio. Well it does, but certainly not what you'd expect.

The film becomes at no point boring or too sentimental and the acting performances by Ed Harris & Cuba Gooding Jr. are some of their best in my opinion. The ending puts a long lasting smile on your face and makes you wonder if what you are doing is right. Well I guess that was what Michael Tollin & Mike Rich were trying to do. First-class movie.

Esbjørn Nordby Birch. Denmark.

Bouys my heart to watch a movie that spotlights compassion and understanding. Gives hope to the human race for knowing self fulfilling and greed are not paramount.

This is one of the best films I have ever seen! How anyone can knock this movie just befuddles my imagination! First of all, Gooding's and Harris's performances were simply spectacular, especially Gooding. That is the only way I can describe the acting: spectacular! You have to imagine how difficult it would be to play a character like that and pull it off; then you see Gooding, and his performance was magical. As for the plot, since it was based on a true person, it goes where the lives of the characters go. For all the action buffs, it might be a little slow, but then it's not an action film. I definitely give this movie a 10. It deserves nothing less!

I am disgusted and appalled by the positive reviews this movie is receiving. Not only is it hokey, manipulative, and melodramatic. It's also shamelessly offensive. The character of Radio `Gooding Jr.' is paraded around as a cute little stuff animal, like a puppy that's so cute you just want to take him home.' This mentality is shameless; Radio is never treated as a human being, but as a manipulative device to draw sympathies from its audience. Even more atrocious are the film's numerous moments, in which Radio gets hit in the head/trips/falls over/etc. These moments of slapstick comedy had the audience howling with laughter merely purely because, `it's funny because Radio is retarded' This is shameless, Now I do not feel that the word `retarded' is an appropriate word at all to describe the mentally disabled, but this seems to be the stance the film is taking, `Radio is retarded, but that's okay, because he's cute and we like him.' Gooding's portrayal seems better suited for a John Water's film than an inspiring family drama. To add insult to injury the film is incompetent on every level, Debra Winger is uninspired in the role as the `stereotypical housewives' that the very reminder of her heinous monologues insights laughter in all who see the film. The Score by John Horner is pure sap always overlaying its tear some score over the tired cinematography. Ed Harris is decent in a role he could have slept through, but manages to retain much of the audience's attention throughout the film. In conclusion, if you consider yourself a decent human being, ignore this travesty of a film, read the book, but otherwise skip this dire film on an interesting character from American history.

Radio was a movie I had heard mixed things about, but because I'm such a huge fan of Cuba Gooding, I of course checked it out. I adore Ed Harris so watching him and Cuba act alongside each other was a treat to watch. Radio I suppose is a predictable piece of sentimentality, but the way it's done is wonderful. I have worked with people who are mentally challenged and ever since then, I have grown to understand and deal with them with patience, so while I was watching the story unfold, I couldn't help but feel emotion for Radio. I really don't understand how Cuba Gooding earned a razzy for his performance here, I felt it was Oscar worthy!. I really feel Radio is a nice feel-good story of a kid that's mentally challenged being accepted by the society that he is living in, and becoming a legend in his own right. Maybe people won't love it as much as I did, but if you've worked with these kinds of kids perhaps you'd understand why I got into this as much as I did.

Performances. Cuba Gooding gives yet again a fantastic performance. This should have revived his career, but instead he's doing many crappy DTV movies now, which is very sad with a man of his caliber of talent. He feels mentally challenged, looks mentally challenged, it really was a phenomenal performance. Ed Harris is just as good. His character isn't as hard to play, but he has a lot of heart and his character was just as important.

Bottom line. Radio is a great piece of sentimentality, and it's bound to jerk a few tears or two, see it.

9/10

I came for a movie that has Ed Harris in the leading role but I ended up with a movie that takes a true story and makes it a relaxed movie that makes you feel good, I don't know how much is true but it's fascinating how Radio is still remembered at this date. Watching Ed Harris act is one of the best thing in a movie that has him in it, great inspiration for acting. Alfre Woodard and Cuba Gooding Jr did also some good work, the best thing about this movie was the good and happy feeling, also the likeable characters and story.

I can see the flaws in the movie but I feel that the critics are wrong here, I found it to be a good movie and I do recommend it!

I appear to be in the minority, but I thought "Radio" was pretty awful. It seemed to contain almost every cliche in these types of "heartwarming" movies.

The motivation for the characters falling in love with Radio was never really explained. We were just supposed to accept that everyone was fond of Radio except for a couple of bad apples.

You could see almost all of th big moments in the story from 100 yards away. When the movie wanted you to go "Awww" or pull out your tissue, I was rolling my eyes and wished I was watching "Rudy" instead.

There were some good performances by the cast. Too bad they weren't given a better movie in wish to appear.

'Radio' tells the true life story of a high school football coach who befriends a severely mentally retarded young man (whom they nickname 'Radio' because he loves listening to the radio so much), lets him hang out with the team, and, thereby, changes not only the boy's life but the lives of just about everyone in the South Carolina town in which they live. When Radio's behavior on the sidelines begins to serve as a distraction during the games, some of the less sympathetic, die-hard football fans of the town make an effort to downplay his role or eliminate his presence altogether.

Set in 1976, 'Radio' is a thoroughly predictable, sentimental heart tugger that will have people either gagging on the syrup or crying in their popcorn. For all its heavy handed manipulation, however, 'Radio' turns out to be a pretty decent little film due, primarily, to the superb performances by Ed Harris and Cube Gooding Jr., and to the fact that the movie doesn't overplay its hand as often as it might. In fact, it wisely underplays much of the conflict, allowing the moments of quiet subtlety to predominate. As played by Harris, Coach Jones is a solid, decent, caring man who can't help but give his love to a fellow human being who needs it. Harris' soft-spoken strength makes us believe in the goodness of the man. The film does an effective job conveying the incredulous reactions of many of the otherwise well-meaning town folk, as even Radio's own mother asks Joe why he is doing what he's doing. The scenes between Jones and this woman, lovingly played by S. Epatha Merkerson, are some of the finest in the film. The movie also isn't afraid to confront the issue of whether the people of the town - and that includes Jones himself - aren't actually being patronizing towards Radio in their treatment of him, and whether he isn't more of a 'mascot' for the team than a bona fide member. Gooding Jr. slips effortlessly into the role of Radio, making him a compelling figure even though he has virtually no lines of dialogue in the movie. Alfre Woodard is excellent as the caring but nervous school principal who sees Radio's presence on campus as a potential threat to student safety, but who has enough faith in Jones to give Radio a chance to prove himself. It's nice to see Debra Winger in a movie again, although her role as Jones' ever-patient, ever-supportive wife, doesn't give her much room to strut her stuff as an actress.

There's no denying that 'Radio' is a humanity-of-man type film that could easily set the teeth on edge with its Goody Two Shoes philosophy of life. Be that as it may, 'Radio' turns out to be a warm, uplifting film that even Scrooge would probably like.

Radio is an unusual story, based on the factual friendship of a small-town high school coach, and a young developmentally disabled man.

I find it a touching film; a tribute to the versatile acting talent of Cuba Gooding, Jr. A harmless, friendless, and misunderstood young man nicknamed "Radio" who wanders around with an ever-present transistor radio, (hence his nickname) is ridiculed as a "retard" by the locals. Gooding puts his heart and soul into this role, making Radio a likable, endearing guy you would want to have as a friend. Ed Harris as the coach, does just that, befriending the young man, and taking him under his wing. The two actors portray this simple yet touching friendship that makes them both grow as people with gentle sincerity.

Occasionally, the film is hard to watch, what with cruel pranks played on the poor ingenuous Radio. It's a bitter pill to swallow, to see that vile and detestable element still permeates our society. Yet through all of this cruelty, and the excruciating loss of a loved one (a tearful, heart wrenching scene), Radio stands and becomes an inspiration to others.

The film has minor weaknesses: subplots involving the coach's family problems, such as his daughter being jealous of Radio add little to the story, and seem thrown in just for padding. They are not developed well, either.

Overall, a good, heartfelt and touching story worth seeing.

The real life story of the relationship between South Carolina football coach Harold Jones(Ed Harris) and James Robert "Radio"Kennedy(Cuba Gooding Jr.)is explored here over the course of the 1976-77 school year. Initially a mute,eccentric stranger who would roam the outskirts of town,listening to this broken down radio(hence his nickname),he is brought into the team and the school(After initially being mercilessly harassed and teased by some of his players)by Coach Jones,who has his own reasons for taking an interest in a person he quickly learns is disabled. As "Radio" insinuates his way into the lives of the students,coaches and even Coach Jones' family(Debra Winger and Sarah Drew),he becomes an almost invaluable fixture around the small southern town as well as the school.

There would be,actually,so many reasons to dislike this show:the story is painfully predictable,the writing starts to creak and crack when it tries too hard to push buttons(one example:when someone mentions how well Radio has learned since coming to the school,HAnna High,the response is "No,we haven't been teaching him,he's been teaching us!") and it is fairly vague as to much of Radio's actual life or personality,with the exception of his hard-working and skeptical mother(S.Epatha Markerson). But to do so would make me feel like a complete and total cad. The acting here,particularly between HArris and Gooding,is warm and endearing,and the show does good as long as it stays on a straight path of simple narrative. I would say,in the end this movie might suffer from a little too much of visceral sentiment here,choosing to wring sympathy from the audience like one wrings out a wash cloth. Certainly,people who are not a fan of warm,endearing heart-tuggers are probably going to reject this film on first glance. But it's a nice story,and being someone who's had more than his share of contact with "special needs" people,I can't dump on this movie too much. A very good cheap rent.

This was unusual: a modern-day film which was ultra-nice. In fact, it was so nice it bordered on being too hard to believe in parts. As I watching this based-on-a-real-life story, I was thinking, "nobody is this nice, this tolerant." Mainly, I was referring to Ed Harris' role as "Coach Jones." I think they went a little overboard on his character, but that's better than the reverse: showing him worse than what he was in real life. Odd to see Harris playing the role, too, since he has a long resume of playing nasty, profane characters.

Anyway, I never complain about a nice, feel-good film, and it is nice to see a bunch of well- meaning, kind people. Those folks direct their friendship, love and compassion to "James Kennedy," better known as "Radio," a mentally slow high school kid played by Cuba Gooding Jr. The story takes place in the mid 1970s in South Carolina. Gooding does a nice job with the role, too. However, like Sean Penn's role of a mentally-challenged man in "I Am Sam," an hour-and-a-half of a character like this is plenty. After that, the loudness of those guys gets tiresome to hear.

Note: It was interesting in one of the documentaries on this DVD to find out that, in real life, in took years for "Radio" to make his transformation, not months as shown in the film.

It's 1976 in Anderson, South Carolina. Harold Jones (Ed Harris) is the high school football coach. His wife Linda (Debra Winger) thinks he's not paying enough attention to their daughter (Sarah Drew). James 'Radio' (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is a mentally handicapped man who pushes a shopping cart around town. After taking one of the team's football, the star ballplayer and his friends tie him up and terrorize him. Coach takes Radio under his wing. It's not always easy as the team doesn't live up to expectations.

There are different ways to criticize Cuba's performance. It could be seen as a showy thing meant for the awards season. Cuba could be dismissed as unable to do more with the character. I think he does a fine job. It's definitely not award winning but at least he's pushing his acting range.

The major problem for me is the concentration on the coach and Radio. It needs to have a POV from someone else. There are a couple of possibilities. Johnny Clay would be an interesting choice especially with his father Frank. He's set up for a redemption storyline. The side characters need more time. The story is too simplistic when there is easy drama underneath the story. A more fleshed out story for the teenagers would be much more compelling. It shows when the daughter is able to pull the deepest emotions from the story.

This movie reminded me enormously of a British flick called Marvelous which was beyond a doubt one of my favorites of 2015. Radio is the name given to a black kid who seems a little mentally retarded and walks around town pushing a shopping cart full of things that he collects. One day, he intercepts a football and decides to keep it instead of returning it to the team who was playing with it. Trouble starts for Radio when the team decides to retaliate and teach him a lesson. However, the team's manager is not happy about how his team handles the situation and decides to take Radio under his wing. Little by little, Radio starts to become an icon of the team, and of the high school itself. A new life starts for him under the tutelage of his new found friend. Not everything will be a piece of cake as many students will see Radio as nothing else but a buffoon to make fun of

No offense to anyone who saw this and liked it, but I hated it! It dragged on and on and there was not a very good plot, also, too simple and the acting was so so...

I would give this snorefest a 2 at the most

This is a movie you'll either love or hate. I loved it. If you are looking for suspense, great special effects, action, sophistication, cynicism, etc. you won't find it in this movie. It is a feel good movie, sentimental, positive, uplifting. The heroes of the movie are Coach Jones (played by Ed Harris), a man of strength and integrity, and Radio (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) a mentally retarded man who finds a way to contribute to his world. I guess I didn't find this movie to be "sentimental hogwash" as so many did, because it felt very real to me. I know people like these. I've seen jocks who think it's fun to pick on the vulnerable. I've seen men of integrity stand up for the vulnerable. I've seen people who think high school football is serious business. I've seen people who know what really is important in life. Any of these people could have been people I knew. I did laugh; I did cry. I left the movie feeling good, remembering that there are people like Coach Jones and Radio in my world. If there aren't people like them in yours, you might not like the movie. If you don't like a movie that shows the better side of human nature, you'll hate it.

Radio was a clash out, provokingly ok type of sports film. The main reason I put this is that Radio to me was kind of entertaining but it doesn't stand up to Remember the Titans and Rudy afterall. Ed Harris I thought was not very good casted as that coach and he looked nothing like him. Cuba Gooding Jr. was amazing actually as Radio, the kind of retarded young man. I liked his character. He was very funny and was good at doing retarded impressions and the voice. He was well casted Radio. I kind of liked the football scenes but once again it doesn't live up to its relatives and there were barely any football scences in there actually. I didn't also like the basketball scenes. I think there was to much put into there. Overall a good focusing and emotional film but not as great as I was hoping it was going to be.

6/10

I always complain that Hollywood doesn't make any family films, and as those go, this is a fine movie! Yes, it's sentimental...but you can't dispute that there is a real life person nick named Radio and he appears to be a well loved member of his community, as does Coach Jones (Ed Harris's character). I thought that Cuba Gooding did a good job, and that it's unfortunate for him that this has already been done (slightly better) by Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump. ( Audiences and critics aren't very forgiving of something they don't think is original. This is different from FG is several ways, of course...it's a true story, whereas FG is rather fanciful and is based on a fictional novel. )

Anyway, this is a movie you can watch with your family and everyone will enjoy it. It's not Oscar caliber, but it's a good story. This used to be the norm for movies (A good story the whole family can watch together), and it's getting more and more rare these days. Therefore, I highly recommend this movie.