Watch Sunset Park
- R
- 1996
- 1 hr 39 min
-
5.9 (1,882)
Sunset Park is a 1996 sports-comedy film starring Rhea Perlman, Fredro Starr, and Carol Kane. Directed by Steve Gomer and written by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld and Kathleen McGhee-Anderson, the movie is set in the rough Brooklyn neighborhood of Sunset Park. Rhea Perlman stars as Phyllis Saroka, a schoolteacher who has just taken over the coaching position of the underachieving boys' basketball team at Sunset Park High School. The team is made up of a group of inner-city high school students who are struggling to come to grips with their difficult lives, and find both solace and organization on the basketball court.
Fredro Starr plays Shorty, the team's star player and de facto leader. Shorty is a tough-talking, street-smart kid with a chip on his shoulder, but also a lot of raw talent. Gina (played by Terrence Dashon Howard) and Spaceman (played by De'Aundre Bonds) are Shorty's best friends and fellow team members, who have their own unique personal struggles.
The movie deals with various social issues, such as poverty, drug abuse, gang violence, and racism. In one scene, the team has to deal with racist slurs and taunts from their white opponents. In another scene, the players are forced to confront the reality of drugs and violence in their community.
Phyllis, an outsider in their world, manages to break through the boys' tough exterior and inspires them to push themselves harder and reach their full potential. With her guidance and support, the team begins to improve their game and learns to work together as a team.
As the movie progresses, the team experiences both victories and setbacks, including an important game against rival team, Shepherd High. Amidst all the challenges they face, the boys remain focused on their goal of making it to the playoffs.
Sunset Park is a heartwarming film that showcases the transformative power of teamwork and perseverance. The movie's themes of redemption, hope, and overcoming the odds are inspiring, and the performances by the cast are outstanding. Rhea Perlman's portrayal of the tough-but-caring teacher is particularly noteworthy, and Fredro Starr shines as the charismatic Shorty.
The movie also features a great soundtrack, which includes songs by artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and Aaliyah. The music adds to the film's gritty, urban vibe and provides a fitting backdrop for the story.
In summary, Sunset Park is an entertaining and meaningful film that explores important issues facing inner-city youth, while also providing plenty of laughs and exciting basketball action. It is a must-watch for anyone who loves sports movies or who wants to be inspired by stories of triumph over adversity.
Sunset Park is a 1996 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.