Eddie (1996)

This is arguably one of Whoppi's best movies. It's also a well done movie overall. It's an unassuming comedy that focuses more on positive characters and the better aspects of humanity than on controversy and good versus evil. It's a movie that you can watch with the entire family, especially children.

Whoppi's character is a woman obsessed with the New York Knicks and through a convergence of an unusual and unlikely set of circumstances, becomes the coach of the team. Her admirable ability to see good in everyone and a lack of guile makes her a leader who steers the people around her towards victory in their lives as well as on the court.

There is some genuine pathos in the movie as well as some loads of human to human interactions that are heartwarming and, yes, again, positive that will leave you satisfied and feeling pretty good. It'll turn that frown upside down.

Fmovies: As a black man, I need inspiration from fellow African Americans. This film provides it...IN FOLDS! Whoopi Goldberg gives a heartwarming performance, perhaps even better than her work in "The Color Purple", "Amistad", "Ghostbusters." Goldberg's performance is masterful; however, the true star of this magical movie is Greg Ostertag. His bravery in portraying this enigma of a character is mindboggling. Little known fact about Mr.Ostertag, he portrayed the ghost of Christmas future in his 10th grade production of "A Christmas Carol." Ostertag is not only a dominating force on the basketball court, he is dominating with his screen presence in "Eddie." I recommend seeing this film immediately if only for Greg Ostertag's performance. 9/10. If you enjoy this film I would also recommend "Space Cowboys"

Eddie starring Whoppi Goldberg is a product of the tremendous interest generated by the game of Basketball in the 90s in the USA, mostly because of the jazz and excitement of the game and players like Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman etc who drew in large crowds and made the NBA big business.

The best feature about this film is it does not take itself seriously from the beginning. There fun poked at greedy players, foreign imports and egotistical coaches! The film itself is about a huge fan of the New York Knicks who becomes coach of the New York Knicks by becoming close to the new owner of the Knicks Wild Bill Burgess( Frank Langella)

The cameos in the film are plentiful and while MJ himself does not make an appearance it gives a funny insight into what its like to be on the court and what makes players tick. One shot of John Salley making a free throw is very striking and would send a shiver down any sports fan of any sport.

Its not a blue chips type basketball film, its a comedy/sports movie that is easy to watch and thats why i am giving it a 7!

P.S look out for a rare cameo from Leroy from Fame as a dancer!

Eddie fmovies. I'll try to keep this short and to the point. This is not a complex drama, not was it meant to be. As a previous reviewer pointed out, the pacing is quick and timely. On some levels, you could view this as a moral tale. The good guys win in the end. The heroine puts out a max effort, remains true to her values, but also discovers her view of the situation was a bit too simple. (Perhaps as many of us have a tendency towards?). As in life, a little attitude and approach adjustment, and she zeroes in on the goal. The willingness to risk failing, however, remaining steadfast to her morals, provides the final tension that is resolved with the cathartic victory in the end.

I have a friend who mentioned that she had been looking for a used copy of this movie for her collection, and I found one by accident at a flea market the other day. I had not seen the movie and wondered why, out of all the movies that a person might possibly want in their collection, she had wanted this one. So, I decided to watch it before sending it on, with the excuse for opening it, that I wanted to make sure it still watchable, being as some of the movies I have found at flea markets have proven to be well worn out copies, on occasion.

Well, there was nothing that I did not predict way before it happened in this one. It was an enchanting story, but nothing about which to think deeply. I did notice a veiled feminist vein in the premise, and I suppose this is what my friend saw that made her desire this movie. It will not bore you, but I doubt you would find yourself wanting to tell everyone to go see this one either. I hope my friend is happy with her gift. See it or not . .. there is nothing you have not seen before, just the sport/characters were changed.

Even in small comedies, I believe the screenwriter has to be a little respectful to his audience. I think the average person on the street will extend disbelief in a movie if you present it in an acceptable manner. No one complained that in 'While You Were Sleeping' that the entire plot in completely dependant on everyone experiencing the same misunderstandings. Or did they?

So, in that same way, Whoopi should get to do a stupid movie that no one will believe a word of. She has an Oscar and some box office clout, why not take them out for a spin?

She plays Edwina, a loudmouth Knicks fan who is cursed with lousy seats, a really bad team and a boss who does not understand her obsession. Since the team has a new owner (Langella) who conveniently does not get along with the coach (Dennis Farina), changes are in store. The owner is more suited to the WWF, as he speaks to the crowd before the game from the court, on a HORSE, and during his pyro show he accidentally destroys the retired jersey of Walt Frazier...I told you it was illogical.

So he's tacky and has no regard for team tradition. Its not a long stretch for him to arrange things to get Edwina (known as Eddie) to coach the team for half a game in the name of promotion. When the current coach protests, he gets fired.

So Eddie gets to be the coach full time, and takes a loser team and makes them a winner..I told you it was predictable. What's worse is that Eddie was extremely knowledgable in the problems of the team before she took over, but once the coaching job is given to her she is mysteriously clueless.

But in addition to believing that a fan would take on the head coach job, you are also asked to believe that the owner will move the team to St. Louis, IF THEY WIN..this put Eddie in an awkward situation, no?

Unless you never saw another movie in your life, you can predict the outcome.

But as a sports fan, who's suffered at times like all sports fans suffer in the name of love for your team, I can't help but enjoy it on at least a couple of levels. 5/10.