Based on the true story of Oklahoma basketball coach Jim Keith and his Lady Cyclones, Believe In Me follows a losing and disrespected girls’ basketball team and the inspirational coach who transforms them into state champions. Starring Bruce Dern, Jeffrey Donovan, and Samantha Mathis, Believe In Me was written and directed by Robert Collector. The story is set in early 1960’s Oklahoma, during a time of economic distress and small town politics. High school sports are an integral part of the town’s fabric and pride, but girls sports are an afterthought and warrant little or no attention.

Clay Driscoll (Jeffrey Donovan), a young coach with big dreams, is hired by the local superintendent to coach boy’s basketball. Clay immediately finds himself head to head with Ellis Brawley (Bruce Dern), the town’s ultimate boss, great-grandson of the town’s founder, owner of the bank and head of the school board. Clay is crushed by the news from Brawley that the job of boys’ coach has gone to “someone more qualified” and that he will be coaching the girls’ team. with his dream dashed and his future uncertain, Clay begins a journey from despair to acceptance, challenge and finally, destiny.

Supported and inspired at every hurdle by his wife Jean’s (Samantha Mathis) wisdom and strength, Clay decides to stay and take on the seemingly impossible task of coaching the hapless Lady Cyclone. Lacking confidence, the rag-tag girls are ridiculed by the boys for wearing their oversized hand me downs, as well as for evey trying to play basketball. Throughout the course of the movie, Clay learns as much from his team as they learn from him. The Lady Cyclones develop pride to rally their spirit through the difficult season. They are challenged at every step by a dismissive school board and the ever present attitude that girls can’t play sports.

The community eventually rallies behind Clay and the girls as they strive to achive the unbelievable - the State Championship - just as the the real Lady Cyclones did. This is an incredible story of triumph, friendship, and perserverence. This is a film that proves that the impossible can be achieved if you believe, and is as relevant today as it was forty years ago when the story actually took place. This is such a wonderful family film; you will really enjoy it.

Believe in Me

Starring: Jeffrey Donovan & Bruce Dern

Director: Robert Collector

Company: IFC

Now Showing: In area Theatres

MPAA Rating - PG

Grade: A

DVD Picks

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