30 Second Bottom Line: High schools, segregated by race, are integrated. One result- the coach of the formerly all white school loses his job to a black coach. As both schools have strong football programs, black and white players have great concern about making the team. All of this happens in an atmosphere rampant with intense emotions.

Story Line: Separate but equal schools were separate and unequal, with respect to books in general, and overall resources in particular. This led to school integration. Based upon a true story, Remember the Titans finds Coach Boone (Denzel Washington) put in charge, while the old coach, Yoast (Will Patton), goes from head to defensive coach, reporting to Boone. They begin as enemies and become friends. They can respect one another, while experiencing distinct dislike, when they are in the same space. Working together, they go on to have an undefeated season and win the state championship in 1971.

The film deals with racial relationships on three levels; adults, teenagers and pre teens. For adults there are the competing coaches, and parents reacting to the changing situation of their children. Then we have the perspective of teenagers in high school. Coach Boone pairs blacks and whites on the field during the day and in the dorm at night. He makes them interview each other, so they will see something other than the outwardly features provided by race. Most get it, some take a while, and a few refuse to change. Lastly there are the pre teens, who have open minds. Sheryl Yoast (Hayden Panettoere) is the supportive daughter of the former head coach, who is as focused on football as he or Coach Boone, and appears to have as much knowledge as they do. When she spends time with Boone's daughter Nicky (Krysten Leight), they only marginally get along, but it's not because of race. If Sheryl was a boy you could imagine her singing, "Are you ready for some football?" with gusto, while Nicky is interested in dolls and other more girly things. As expected, they learn from one another. The film captures the essence of the melting pot theory in a realistic way, and it's this quality that takes some predictable scenarios, that in most films would drag it down rather than lift it up.

Tell Me More About It: This is one of the better "feel good" films of the year, and it carries an important message in an entertaining and uplifting manner for older kids and young adults. We realize, of course, that the issues being dealt with were never solved with the relative ease depicted here. That said, I can't think of a better film that deals with racism and integration that is as easy to look at and enjoy as Remember The Titans.

Denzel is outstanding as always, but as in The Bone Collector, this is a walk in the park acting session for him. In some ways I like the movie better than Hurricane, but seeing just how good Denzel is as an actor makes me think once again that he should have received the best actor Academy Award last year.

Some of the characters are clearly there to make a point. Examples are the white girlfriend who finally accepts blacks; another is the white football player who remains embittered and dedicated to separation of the races. Mrs. Boone (Nicole Ari Parker) is grossly underused as the supportive, loving wife.

I recall that when I was drafted into the Army in 1967, while I was OK in general with northern whites, that was not the case with those from the south. Burned in my mind was the image of church bombings and beatings at their hands in the south. What I learned was that some of the best people I met were whites from the south. With the right leadership, when people of different races need each other to accomplish a common mission, they can overcame decades (even centuries) of hostility, fear and mistrust.

Remember the Titans is a great family film, that both adults and children can enjoy. Both can learn something as they discuss the movie on the way home. The film tells us that "attitude reflects leadership" and although I've not heard it put quite like that before, there might just be something to it.

Coach Boone: Denzel Washington	Coach Yoast: Will Patton
Sheryl Yoast: Hayden Panettiere	Nicky: Krysten Leigh
Director: Boaz Yakin	Mrs. Boone: Nicole Ari Parker

Denzel Washington: The Hurricane	Will Patton: Gone in Sixty Seconds
Hayden Panettiere: Dinosaur	Krysten Leigh: Debut Film
Boaz Yakin: A Price Above Rubies	Nicole Ari Parker: