The Air Up There
Jimmy Dolan is a college basketball coach who wants a big promotion. To get it, he needs to make a dramatic find. He ends up deep in Africa, hoping to recruit Saleh, a huge basketball prodigy Jimmy glimpsed in a home movie. But Saleh is the chief's son and has responsibilities at home, since the tribe's land is threatened by a mining company with its own hotshot basketball team.
Insights
Plot Summary
An ambitious assistant basketball coach for a struggling college team discovers a potential star player in a remote African village. He journeys to the village, facing numerous cultural and logistical challenges, to recruit the talented young man and bring him back to play for his team. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons about life, sportsmanship, and what truly matters.
Critical Reception
The Air Up There received mixed reviews from critics, with many finding its premise to be formulaic and predictable, though some appreciated its lighthearted approach and Kevin Bacon's performance. Audiences generally viewed it as a harmless, if forgettable, family comedy.
What Reviewers Say
- A predictable but amiable sports comedy with a few laughs.
- Kevin Bacon's charisma helps elevate the familiar underdog story.
- The film's cultural depiction is somewhat stereotypical.
Google audience: Audiences generally found the movie to be a fun and lighthearted comedy, with many enjoying the basketball action and the fish-out-of-water humor. Some viewers noted that the plot was unsurprising, but it was still considered an enjoyable watch for families.
Fun Fact
The film was shot in and around South Africa, with the fictional African village scenes filmed near the Drakensberg mountains.
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