Radio (Exclusive Series) (Hulu/Amazon Prime via Starz Add-on)

Initial release date: October 24, 2003

Studios: Sony-Columbia/Revolution Studios

Tagline: His courage made them champions.

Plot: In a racially divided town, Coach Jones spots a mentally disabled African-American young man named Radio near his practice field and is inspired to befriend him. Soon, Radio is Jones’ loyal assistant, and Principal Daniels happily notes that Radio’s self-confidence is skyrocketing. But things start to sour when Jones begins taking guff from fans who feel that his devotion to Radio is getting in the way of the team’s quest for a championship.

Cast

Cuba Gooding Jr (FXs American Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpson) - Radio

Ed Harris (Geostorm; HBOs Westworld) - Coach Jones

Alfrie Woodword (Netflix’s Fatherhood) - Principal Daniels

S. Epatha Merkerson (NBCs Chicago Med) - Maggie

Brent Sexton (Irresistible) - Honeycutt

Chris Mulkey (On the Basis of Sex) - Frank

Sarah Drew (ABCs Grey’s Anatomy) - Mary Helen

Riley Smith (CWs Nancy Drew) - Johnny

Patrick Breen - Tucker

Debra Winger (Netflix’s The Ranch; Kajillionaire) - Linda

Writer: Mike Rich (Cars 3; Secretariat)

Director: Michael Tollin

Rated PG for mild language and thematic elements (109 min)

The 2003 movie ‘Radio’ is a really moving feature that the whole family should definitely check out. The story of Coach Jones being respectful to Radio and doing what he can to help Radio have a normal life in society is incredible and inspiring. It also ties into the film’s message - the beautiful message of friendship, hope and love for the other.

In between the emotional moments scattered throughout the movie, there are also quite a few moments that can make you laugh. ‘Radio’ can also be very inspirational and is a good-hearted flick to check out during this time of year!

‘Radio’ can be streamed if you have Hulu or Amazon Prime with the Starz add-on. You can also rent it via YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV and Vudu.

Here are a few interesting tidbits about ‘Radio’:

• On September 2, 2016, James Robert ‘Radio’ Kennedy was inducted into the T.L. Hanna Hall of Fame

• James Robert ‘Radio’ Kennedy was born in Andersen, South Carolina on October 14, 1946. He died in Andersen on December 14, 2019.

• Because the relationship between Radio and town was ongoing, the screenwriter chose to compress the highlights of the relationship to a one year period.

• Most of the fans in the stands during the games were students and fans from Goose Creek High School, a school in the Charleston suburb of Goose Creek (about 45 minutes from Walterboro, where the movie was filmed). They were chosen because the school uses the same color as T.L. Hanna. Goose Creek and Hanna met in the 2008 state playoffs, allowing many of the extras in the movie to meet the real Radio.

• The film grossed $52.3 million with a budget of approximately $30 million.

https://youtu.be/bcfvpJvbYyU