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A Season on the Brink (2002)

Rate: 8
Viewed: 7/22

SBrink
7/22: For over four decades, you couldn't escape college basketball without hearing Bobby Knight's name.

Indiana and basketball are practically synonymous, and, love him or hate him, Bobby Knight is regarded as a god there. Famous and infamous for many reasons, he's probably the greatest college basketball coach of all time. At the time of his retirement, Bobby won a record of 902 games with three national titles to boot.

More importantly, he ran a clean program with zero NCAA violations and nearly 100% graduation rate which are unheard-of in big-time college athletics. The other side of the coin is his violent temper that's always profanity-laced which ultimately got him fired. Despite his outstanding achievements, all people can think of Bobby Knight is the chair-throwing incident.

Prior to watching A Season on the Brink which is based on author John Feinstein's journey with the team during the 1985-86 season of Indiana University Hoosiers basketball, I thought it was going to be tame given the affiliation with ESPN. To my surprise, there are no holds barred as Brian Dennehy is allowed to let out the typical Bobby Knight behavior nonstop. It's not pretty, and the movie is relentlessly depressing.

The headline star is perfect as Bobby Knight, but he would've done better if he did it during his prime in the 80's. Sadly, Brian Dennehy looks old and a bit winded. No matter what, he's the right choice. It's a good role for him which is an extension of what Nick Nolte did in Blue Chips minus the cheating which ironically starred the real Bobby Knight.

All in all, you'll have a good idea of who Bobby Knight is after watching A Season on the Brink.