Review #4: Hoop Dreams

Hoop Dreams is a documentary that follows the lives of two boys, Arthur and William, as they try to become NBA players. Both of them were offered a scholarship to attend the prestigious St. Joseph's High School, whose basketball team is one of the best in the state of Illinois. However, as they try to make their dreams come true, they find different obstacles, from money problems, and drugs, to grades, and injuries. The personal perspective in which this documentary was filmed gave it the best view for the audience to get a closer look into their lives. The determination of both boys was also exceptionally shown, as they passed through their obstacles. Arthur was eventually kicked out of St. Joseph's, but ended up winning a scholarship in college to keep playing basketball, while William decided not to play basketball as a profession. The ending for both stories was both emotional and surprising, as I did not expect it. Overall, the documentary was successful at showing both stories, without losing the interest of the audience using with a variety of strong images.