Hoop Dreams parents guide

Hoop Dreams Parent Guide

Overall B+

This documentary follows the Hoop Dreams of some aspiring basketball players from inner-city Chicago.

Release date October 13, 1995

Violence A
Sexual Content A
Profanity C
Substance Use --

Why is Hoop Dreams rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Hoop Dreams PG-13 for drug content and some strong language.

Run Time: 170 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Before you decide that your lack of interest in basketball knocks Hoop Dreams off your list of video choices, think again. Hoop Dreams is a documentary, and is as much about human relations and racial discrimination as it is about basketball. I am not fond of the sport, but had no problem in devoting close to three hours to watch the story of a couple of inner-city kids in Chicago, William Gates and Arthur Agee, and their determination to make it into the NBA.

First, let me give away the ending: Neither of them make it to the NBA. A documentary has no obligation to supply a hero’s victory. In the movies, when the hero has to make the big free throw to win the game, it always goes in the basket. Not so here. This is real life, where heroes get nervous and scared, and sometimes just choke up under pressure.

The camera captures moments that no actor could duplicate. Like when Arthur’s parents are left with a $1,400 debt (staggering for their income) from a ritzy basketball high school in the suburbs, that decided to dump their son after his playing slipped. The Agee’s meet with the white accountant, desperate to make any offer so the school will release Arthur’s grades, allowing him to graduate from his inner-city high school. A monthly payment arrangement is made, and Arthur’s dad is so grateful, he hugs the accountant, who obviously doesn’t want to have a black man’s arms around him, especially on camera. These scenes just don’t happen in “real” movies. That’s probably why that school is suing the producers of this film.

The only warning here is the illustrious f-word that is heard in a rap song playing on a radio in one scene. Otherwise, the film is free of sex and violence, and the rest of the language is better than what I hear from the kids at the high school down my street. Hoop Dreams is a film that both adults and teens would benefit from viewing.

Starring William Gates, Arthur Agee. Running time: 170 minutes. Theatrical release October 13, 1995. Updated

Hoop Dreams Parents' Guide

What do you learn by watching these boys try to make it to the NBA? Does the fact that neither of them saw their hoop dreams come to fruition lessen the importance of the message?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Hoop Dreams movie is May 9, 2005. Here are some details…

DVD release date: 10 May 2005
The documentary that thrilled critics and viewers, yet failed to receive any award recognition is coming to DVD at last. This Criterion Edition of Hoop Dreams features two audio commentaries with stars Arthur Agee and William Gates, and filmmakers Peter Gilbert, Steve James, and Frederick Marx. Also included are segments from Siskel and Ebert tracking the acclaim for Hoop Dreams, the original music video and theatrical trailers. The audio track is available in English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), with English subtitles.

Related home video titles:

Year of the Yao is another documentary about a a young man—this time from China—who does get drafted by the NBA.