Radio (2003)
Average Rating: 5/10
Reviews Counted: 117
Fresh: 42 | Rotten: 75
The story is heavy on syrupy uplift and turns Radio into a saint/cuddly pet.
Average Rating: 4.8/10
Critic Reviews: 35
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 26
The story is heavy on syrupy uplift and turns Radio into a saint/cuddly pet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 169,586
Movie Info
James Robert Kennedy--nicknamed 'Radio' because of his vintage radio collection and his love of music--is a loner in Anderson, South Carolina, pushing his ever-present grocery cart up and down the streets. He speaks to no one and is rarely spoken to, until one day, Coach Harold Jones, one of the town's most respected men, and coach of the popular high school football team, befriends him. Radio is suspicious at first. But Coach Jones is persistent, even enlisting the help of Radio's mother.
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Cast
-
Cuba Gooding Jr.
James Robert "Radio"... -
Ed Harris
Coach Harold Jones -
Alfre Woodard
Principal Reynolds -
S. Epatha Merkerson
Maggie Kennedy -
Brent Sexton
Honeycutt -
Chris Mulkey
Frank -
Sarah Drew
Mary Helen -
Riley Smith
Johnny -
Patrick Breen
Tucker -
Debra Winger
Linda Jones -
Harold W. Jones
Himself -
Mike Anthony
Himself -
James Gooden
Teacher -
Rebecca Koon
Waitress -
Tammy Christine Arno...
Woman in Stands -
Mark Robert Ellis
Football Referee -
Michael Flippo
Bus Driver -
Therond Justin Adams
Laird -
Evan Aldrich
Danny -
Joseph E.G. Barrett
Autograph Kid -
Bert Beatson
Hoop Player -
-
Megan Coffman
Melodee -
Othello Coleman III
Hanna Player -
Rev. Eugene Cryer Jr...
Pastor Wickland -
Charles Garren
Clive -
Michael Harding
Irv the Cop -
James Robert "Radio"...
Himself -
Michael Kroeker
Young Cop -
William E. Lykes
Assistant Coach -
Dorothy McDowell
Joyce Ann Yearwood -
Deborah McTeer
Linda's Friend -
Jamie Murdaugh
Student -
Ty O'Farrell
Ron Wilborn -
Benjamin L. Peters J...
Hallway Kid -
Kasheem J. Peterson
Football Player -
Kate Powell
Honeycutt's Squeeze -
Shelley Reid
Cop #2 -
Bill Roberson
Del -
Hi Bedford Roberson
School Receptionist -
Leonard Wheeler
Hoop Referee -
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Radio Trailer & Photos
All Critics (125) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (42) | Rotten (75) | DVD (23)
Based-on- a-true-story kitschfest.
Top Critic[Y]et another movie that takes a mentally challenged character and turns him into this kind of deity, this saint-like mascot who everybody else learns life lessons from.
Gooding once again embarrasses himself in public with a performance that knows no shame, a habit he's getting frighteningly at ease with these days.
A train wreck of a film lying inert where the tracks of the Feel Good Line cross the Path of Good Intentions.
Though probably well-intentioned, Radio comes off as manipulative of its audience and exploitative of the mentally challenged.
Rarely have good intentions been wrapped in such a sticky package.
Lesson of kindness permeates inspiring true story.
Despite the fine efforts of Harris and Gooding, Jr., Radio nearly drowns in James Horner's overbearingly sentimental music.
Awful from start to finish.
The screenwriter seems obsessed with introducing dramatic conflict, which feels both strained and convenient.
Tune in for another formulaic feel-good story that will warm your heart and chill your mind.
Feigns compassion for the mentally challenged, but treats Radio as a pet, a toy, a prop.
As the principal says, "I'm not sure we're trying to help someone here, or whether you're using him as a glorified mascot." Exactly.
this puts Cuba back into the Oscar race again, he's charming and wonderful -- although he plays a slow guy, which is surefire Oscar fodder
This is the first time in 16 years I made additions to a movie review after I read other critics' reviews. I'm doing this not to change my stance, but to defend it.
Underneath the sugary sweet external coating of Radio is a cynical and pandering piece of hypocrisy.
Gooding is never allowed to play a three-dimensional character but rather ... human currency to be handed around whenever a character needs his or her consciousness raised.
Feel-good themes and fine performances from Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Ed Harris make Radio a nice pre-holiday film.
Like its title character, Radio broadcasts at a low, pleasant frequency.
Harris puts in a believable and focused performance.
In his best role since Jerry Maguire, Cuba Gooding Jr. delivers a mannered performance performance where other actors have opted for tics and exaggerated shouting.
It's a nice story, and it does feel good, but it's too formulaic and syrupy
If this movie was a tree in Vermont, it'd have a tap driven into it and be sporting a bucket to catch the sap.
Radio features Gooding, Jr. in a performance more akin to Justin Bartha in Gigli than Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man.
A film many people may be tempted to laugh off as button pushing feel-good fluff. Before doing so, they might want to ask themselves just what it is they find so funny about a little peace, love and understanding.
Unlike most sports movies, it celebrates humanity and avoids clichés.
Audience Reviews for Radio
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- James Robert "Radio" Kennedy: Where's my pie!?
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