One on One

One on One

1977 · 98 min · EN · PG · 5.9 (28 votes)
Dir. Lamont Johnson · Starring Robby Benson, Annette O'Toole, G.D. Spradlin, Gail Strickland, Melanie Griffith, James G. Richardson · Music Charles Fox

“You're not big enough. You're not sharp enough. You'll never make it.”

Drama

Henry Steele is a basketball phenom at his small town high school, but when he matriculates to a big city university on a scholarship, soon realizes that he has few skills outside the sport. Expected by his coach to contribute significantly to the team, Henry is overwhelmed by the demands on his time, the "big business" aspect of college sports, and the fact that he never fully learned to read. Things look bleak for Henry when Janet Hays, a pretty graduate student, is assigned as Henry's tutor. Her intellect and strength lift Henry out of his doldrums just in time to battle the coach, who attempts to rescind Henry's scholarship.

VIBE

This is a heartfelt journey of a small-town athlete navigating the harsh realities of college sports and personal growth. It's an earnest tale of finding your voice, the power of education, and standing up to systemic pressures, all wrapped in a determined, hopeful spirit.

earnestdeterminedinspiringchallenginghopefulpropulsiveclassic sports dramacharacter-driven70s realismunderdog narrativeperseverancecoming-of-ageacademic integrityexploitation in sportsself-discovery
small townsportscollegebasketballcoach
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