A summer flick I can't wait to see
Posted: Saturday, July 04, 2009 7:51 PM
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Coaches
Summertime means movie time.
I’ve seen “Transformers 2” (a little long, but lots of loud action), “Public Enemies” (stylish, interesting and worthwhile) and the “Hangover” (hi-LAR-ious, even if it’s not overly quotable), but if there’s a movie to see, it’s “The Street Stops Here.”
The documentary focused on legendary high school coach Bob Hurley and his St. Anthony team during the 2007-08 season. Two things will assuredly keep the flick from being a standard-feel good sports movie: the hoops quality and Hurley.
The Friars have long been one of the nation’s powerhouse programs, most notably since 1989 when Bob Jr., Terry Dehere, Jerry Walker and Rodrick Rhodes led them to 50 straight wins and a No. 1 ranking by USA Today. (Hurley, Dehere and Rhodes would eventually be first-round picks in the NBA draft.) The ’07-’08 version didn’t feature a player over 6-foot-8 but finished 32-0 and gave Hurley another No. 1 team.
Yet it’s Hurley who promises to be the most compelling aspect.
Before the summer’s out, find a copy of Adrian Wojnarowski’s marvelous book, “The Miracle of St. Anthony.” You won’t be able to put it down. It portrays Hurley, his program and his players in an honest and sometimes unflattering light (the guy loves to cuss), but the result is an incredible portrait of patience and resilience, both from Hurley and the players.
Consider this USA Today article a shortened version, without the F-bombs.
Hurley gets results, though. He’s won more than 900 games in 35 years, 25 New Jersey state titles and – most importantly – sends nearly one of his players to college. (To say nothing of the awards and other honors he’s received.)
I’m hoping the documentary is essentially a live-action version of the book. I just hope it gets a release date or a distribution deal, or I’m never gonna see it.
And at this rate, I don’t need to see “Transformers” again. I’d prefer something with a little heart.
