Radio
April 2004 Reviewed by: Anthony Di Marco Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

Movie trailers do not always represent the true nature of a film. When I first saw the trailer for Radio, it appeared to be another sanctimonious, melodramatic tearjerker. The title role certainly seemed intended to stimulate "Oscar buzz" rather than represent a true-to-life character. And what were Ed Harris and Debra Winger doing in the cast? Were they slumming or simply looking to collect a sizeable paycheck?

My skepticism broke some ten minutes into the film. Radio is an example of how quality acting can elevate a "movie of the week" to solid entertainment. It’s an actor’s film with reserved and thoughtful performances.

The entire cast is very good. At first I felt Cuba Gooding Jr.’s performance as a mentally handicapped person was a bit over the top. Then I witnessed the real James Robert "Radio" Kennedy leading his football team onto the field during the end credits. With the exception of a bit too much doe-eyed fervor, Cuba Gooding Jr. nails the physical mannerisms and spirit of Radio admirably. Ed Harris inhabits the role of Coach Harold Jones with the type of rock-solid charisma that never makes you question his character’s credibility. And Winger lends her legendary talents to a strong supporting role as Linda Jones.

Radio does not tell its story through pages of exposition. It trusts its cast to convey the details of the script through action, reaction, and expression. The filmmakers shrewdly keep the motivations of Jones a secret. They are not looking to make Jones into a saint by having him break into song about loving thy neighbor. Instead, they create a character that is all about principles: A human being that everyone should strive to become. Jones doesn’t befriend Radio because he wants to be showered with praise. He does it because it is the right thing to do. There is a speech at the end where Jones expresses the effect Radio has had on the community of Anderson. And Harris delivers this monologue with tempered conviction that doesn’t overstate its points. This type of subtlety saves Radio from being preachy.

Soft light and autumn colors give Radio a feeling of Americana, innocence, and warmth. A measure of MPEG noise in the opening scenes and softness in other scenes does not detract from a very good-looking film.

The same warmth is conveyed through the competently mixed soundtrack. The atmospheric 5.1 Dolby Digital mix pulls you into the sounds that are established as native to Anderson, South Carolina. James Horner’s score is the only disappointment. The main theme is frustratingly similar to his work for Glory and Field of Dreams.

Compared to other DVDs, the number of extras for Radio is below average. Director Mike Tollin’s commentary is solid but does not go into as much detail as I would like, while three "making of" documentaries feel rushed. Yet the great attitude shared among the filmmakers and actors makes this set of features rise above average. There are no false illusions of grandeur or misplaced egos. Everyone involved comes off as grounded and respectful of the story’s subject matter. You believe that Tollin and writer Mike Rich are not just paying lip service when they explain how important it was to preserve the authenticity of the film’s characters and give the story the respect it deserved.

Judging by the finished product and not the trailer, I believe they succeeded.

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