In my opinion, the trailer doesn't necessarily frame the film in a way to correctly demonstrate its cultural significance. From the uplifting, gentle tone of this trailer, one might assume that it is about triumph and victory, about success and winning. While both players in the film experience victory on the basketball court, they ultimately experience failure when it comes to their dreams. Arthur Agee and William Gates both went on to play Division I ball, but neither reached their goal of playing in the NBA. This trailer doesn't really communicate that at all.
As for bell hooks' view of the film, I strongly disagree. I don't think of the film as a triumphant look at the American dream, but rather a deep, two lane character study. Arthur Agee and William Gates weren't symbols of any problems or issues in society. They were young men with hopes and wishes and families along with them.
I believe any player, despite racial distinctions, would've qualified for coverage in the film if that player could've shown more drive and desire than Agee or Gates. bell hooks entered the theater with a bias. She even talks about how uncomfortable she is watching the film with a white audience. Its a bit unfair to write off the trials of these two athletes as a gimmick or as something laced with an ulterior agenda. If you've seen the film, you know how compelling it is, how heartbreaking certain scenes are. Arthur Agee's interaction with his younger siblings and William Gates' tears after a loss come to mind. There is a scene in the film where Arthur Agee's father plays basketball with him and then buys crack on the same court he just played on. These types of images, contrary to what some might believe, are not synonymous with any race or nationality. All human beings are subject to this type of behavior and by showing this, the filmmakers effectively portray the obstacles standing between the two athletes and their dreams.
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