A Season on the Brink

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User Ratings: 516

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Movie Info

One of the most unabashedly profane (albeit honest) TV movies ever produced for "basic" cable, A Season on the Brink is based on John Feinstein's book about the 1985-1986 Indiana Hoosiers' basketball season. Brian Dennehy heads the cast as the controversial, combative, chair-tossing Hoosiers coach Bobby Knight, whose motto is "The only two words you need to know to play basketball at Indiana: Yes, Sir!" Driving his players mercilessly, and making verbal mincemeat of fans and reporters alike, Knight isn't interested in winning any popularity contests -- he is only interested in winning games, which he does with intimidating frequency. Along the way, Knight's abrasive style has profound effects on two of his best players, Daryl Thomas (Michael James Johnson) and Steve Alford (James Lafferty) -- not to mention Bobby's assistant coaches and family members. Videotaped footage of actual games is incorporated into the dramatized re-enactments, with mixed but generally effective results. A Season on the Brink was simulcast over ESPN and ESPN2 on March 10, 2002, with the original TVMAL-rated version airing on the former service, and a "laundered" TV14LV-rated version running on the latter channel.

Rating:

R (adult situations/language)
Genre:

Drama, Television
Directed By:

Robert Mandel
Written By:

David W. Rintels
In Theaters:

Mar 10, 2002 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Dec 3, 2002
Runtime:

87 minutes
Studio:

LionsGate Entertainment

Cast

Brian Dennehy
as Bobby Knight

James Lafferty
as Steve Alford

Duane Murray
as Kohn Smith

Benz Antoinee
as Joby Wright

Benz Antoine
as Joby Wright

Gary Hudson
as Ron Felling

Patrick Williams
as Stew Robinson

Al Thompson
as Delray Brooks

Thomas Hauff
as Ed Williams

Dan Becker
as Dan Dakich

Manfred Maretzki
as Joseph Wisnofsky

Phoenix Gonzales
as Charlene

Yorick Parke
as Andre Harris

Michael James Johnson
as Daryl Thomas

James D. Kirk
as Patrick Knight

Frank Adamson
as President Ryan

Barbara Barnes-Hopkins
as Mrs. Harris

John Bluethiner
as Reporter

Vince Doria
as Reporter

Patti Grayson
as Mrs. Alford

Arthur Lawrence Jr.
as Turner

Steve Ratzlaff
as Mr. Alford

Ryan Sommerfield
as Indiana Player

Mike Weekes
as Todd Jadlow

Bruce Peter Young
as Robinson

Digger Phelps
as Himself

View All

Critic Reviews for A Season on the Brink

All Critics (3) | Top Critics (2) | DVD (1)

Hoosier coach Knight's media profile has been so high for so long, his portrait is complete; Season on the Brink fails to build on that media-created persona.

Nov 7, 2018 | Full Review…

Phil Gallo
Variety
Top Critic
A Season on the Brink is a movie on the brink, as it ploddingly follows Knight and his Hoosiers during the 1985-86 season.

Jan 23, 2018 | Full Review…

Howard Rosenberg
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic
Feinstein's source book provides sufficient detail to humanize the controversial coach and explain his philosophy, but ESPN goes for the cheap shot instead and doesn't even reach the rim.

Nov 13, 2002 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

John A. Nesbit
ToxicUniverse.com