Sunset Park (1996)
Movie Info
A Jewish high school teacher, Phyllis Saroka (Rhea Perlman), steps in to take on the thankless job of coaching the school's inept basketball team, which is filled with ne'er-do-wells from the slums. She takes the job to get extra money to fulfill her dream of opening a restaurant on the Caribbean island of St. Croix. Phyllis has had bad luck with men, is dissatisfied with her teaching job, and is desperate to do something meaningful as she approaches middle age. Meanwhile, the players on the team are ambitious only about scoring drugs and girls and inventing their own rap songs. Butter (James Harris) is the team's only really talented player, but he wastes most of his energy chasing skirts. Busy-Bee (De'Aundre Bonds) is a small but highly energetic goofball. The mind of Spaceman (Terrence Dashon Howard) has been diminished by learning disabilities and drugs. Phyllis's greatest challenge is the brilliant, moody Shorty (Fredro Starr). Shorty teaches Phyllis the game, but he feels betrayed when he learns that she is planning to leave after one season. Perlman's husband, Danny DeVito, served as the film's producer.
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Cast
Rhea Perlman
as Phyllis Saroka
as Phyllis Saroka
Fredro Starr
as Shorty
as Shorty
Carol Kane
as Mona
as Mona
Terrence Howard
as Spaceman
as Spaceman
Camille Saviola
as Barbara
as Barbara
De'aundre Bonds
as Busy-Bee
as Busy-Bee
James Harris
as Butter
as Butter
Anthony C. Hall
as Andre
as Andre
Antwon Tanner
as Drano
as Drano
Shawn Michael Howard
as Kurt
as Kurt
Guy Torry
as Boo Men
as Boo Men
Scott Burkholder
as Morris Bernstein
as Morris Bernstein
John Aprea
as Dominic
as Dominic
John Vargas
as Mr. Santiago
as Mr. Santiago
Rhonda Stubbins White
as Carla
as Carla
Steffen Gregory Foster
as Washington Heights Coach
as Washington Heights Coach
Hattie Winston
as Judge Meyer
as Judge Meyer
Tim Hutchinson
as Referee
as Referee
Charles E. Thompson
as Referee
as Referee
Curtis McGee
as Referee
as Referee
Paul Johnson
as East Flatbush Player
as East Flatbush Player
Tracy Vilar
as Shirley
as Shirley
Michael Mack
as Sal the Janitor
as Sal the Janitor
Lucien Lewis
as Kid Gloc
as Kid Gloc
Eric George
as Coney Island Player
as Coney Island Player
Gary Dourdan
as Dreadlock Guy
as Dreadlock Guy
"Silk" Willie Dunn
as School Bus Driver
as School Bus Driver
Melissa Berger
as Cop at Apartment
as Cop at Apartment
Trula M. Marcus
as Marisa
as Marisa
Vincent Pastore
as Charlie the Super
as Charlie the Super
A. Doran Reed
as Carlton Palmer
as Carlton Palmer
Bee-Be Smith
as Regina
as Regina
Malinda Williams
as Cheryl
as Cheryl
Jay Della Valle
as Bar Customer
as Bar Customer
Christopher McHale
as Bar Customer
as Bar Customer
Critic Reviews for Sunset Park
All Critics (8) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (1) | Rotten (7) | DVD (3)
The camera fails to capture the basketball action to its best advantage, and it really isn't explained how the players become so talented so quickly.
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 2/4
Audience Reviews for Sunset Park
A favorite.
Leo L
Super Reviewer
this was a decent watch but very typical. basically the same film that youve seen a dozen times.
danny d
Super Reviewer
½
Good film.
Chosen 718
Super Reviewer
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