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Poster for Radio

Radio

Seen it?

2003 | 109 min | Drama

Weeknight Watch

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

It's still drawing plenty of interest, but just 35% on Rotten Tomatoes held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Friday Night Lights or Creed III, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 49 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Critics were cooler on it than audiences.

In the racially divided town of Anderson, South Carolina in 1976, football coach Harold Jones spots a mentally disabled African-American young man nicknamed Radio near his practice field and is inspired to befriend him. Soon, Radio is Jones' loyal assistant, and he becomes a student at T.L. Hanna High School. But things start to sour when Coach Jones begins taking guff from parents and fans who feel that his devotion to Radio is getting in the way of the team's quest for a championship.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsWeak

    35% on Rotten Tomatoes, 38 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.4 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    3 wins and 2 nominations from smaller awards and festivals. Plus: Nominated for 1 Razzie, the "worst of the year" awards.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $53 million worldwide on a $35 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 407K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Michael Tollin

  • Cuba Gooding Jr.Radio
  • Ed HarrisCoach Jones
  • Alfre WoodardPrincipal Daniels
  • S. Epatha MerkersonMaggie
  • Debra WingerLinda Jones
  • Chris MulkeyFrank
  • Sarah DrewMary Helen Jones
  • Brent SextonHoneycutt
  • Riley SmithJohnny
  • Patrick BreenTucker