Blue Chips

I read the movie novel months before ever actually seeing this movie, but maybe that's what prompted me to sit down and watch.

Blue Chips is about college basketball, and the dirty side which rears it's ugly head because of it.

The novel was a nice tidy read, and this film is just pure fun to watch.

Here's the movie poster.



And here's the movie trailer;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgeSww9uCAo

We have Western University basketball coach Pete Bell (Nick Nolte), running the cleanest program in all the league.
Clean in that none of the players or management were bought out, or required sports agents.

Perhaps because of this coach Pete Bell is facing a four-year losing streak.
And that's where the drama lies. Does he go against his personal beliefs and sign up major players (at huge financial cost) to win some games, or does he continue with the clean program and face getting fired?



Here's Jenny Bell (Mary McDonnell), Pete's ex-wife and current school teacher.
Jenny and Pete separated because of Pete's frustration with the game of basketball, however Jenny's always there to make sure Pete stays on the right path.



I was surprised to see Ed O'Neill as the sports reporter looking to find some dirt on Pete Bell.
Ed's part in this works well and because I'm a fan of Ed O'Neill I found his scenes very interesting.



Whilst we have clean cut (and very frustrated) Pete Bell, on the flip-side we have the slimy and creepy Happy (JT Walsh). Happy is basically Pete's exact opposite, who offers Pete a way to win again. Pete just needs to sign a deal.
If this were a biblical movie, Happy would be the Devil.



The biggest draw card of this movie is of course Shaq. When this came out all the kids wanted to see Shaq, and see Shaq play.
In that regard this movie does not disappoint.
I'm not an enthusiastic basketball fan but even I found the game scenes enthralling.



Of course we also have Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway playing basketball.
That was a nice touch, because it can't all be about Shaq now, can it?



When this movie was released it was marketed at two sets of people. Young teenage boys, and their fathers.
The boys went to see the movie to see the basketball.
The father went to see the basketball, but also to see the drama involved around the game.



There's plenty of drama.

And plenty of Nick Nolte doing what he does best. Going off on tirades.
It's really a sight to see and to my mind I can think of no one who rants and raves better than Nick Nolte.

I give this movie a 7.5 out of 10.
I wasn't a fan of basketball before seeing this movie, and I still am not a fan, but even I'll admit this movie is something great.

Hope you enjoyed this review. Please let me know what you think.
Until next time!