My review was written in September 1991 after watching the movie on SVS video cassette.
Quality throwback to family filmmaking, "The Pistol" is an entertaining and informative biopic of the late basketball star Pete Maravich. Pic has been playing regionally since January and will appeal to general tv and video audiences.
Theatrical release was underwritten by a fast-food chain (Chick-Fil-A), a laudable effort to counter trends and back G-rated material.
Film wisely focuses on a single year in Maravich's life, 1959, when the 13-year-old basketball phenom got a break and made varsity at his Louisiana high school. Encouraged by his visionary college coach dad, little Pete's misadventures as odd man out among older teammates are well-directed by Frank Schroeder.
What gives the indie film oomph is casting of young Adam Guier as the hero. His precocious skill with a basketball is amply displayed in training and game footage, and the tyro actor gives a sympathetic performance. Film climaxes with his team finally pulling together and beating an all-black high school team in a non-sanctioned contest (during this segregated era).
Millie Perkins and Nick Benedict are solid as Pete's parents while Boots garland (who also supervised the basketball scenes) avoids cliches in portraying the old-fashioned coach. He initially scoffs at Maravich's moves, saying "That's all right for the Globetrotters", but ultimately acquiesces while stressing fundamentals.
Pic is obviously a labor of love dedicated to the memory of Maravich, who died in 1988 with the record as all-time college scoring champ. Younger viewers will learn a lot about the early crossover of playing styles now taken for granted in both pro and amateur ranks.
Quality throwback to family filmmaking, "The Pistol" is an entertaining and informative biopic of the late basketball star Pete Maravich. Pic has been playing regionally since January and will appeal to general tv and video audiences.
Theatrical release was underwritten by a fast-food chain (Chick-Fil-A), a laudable effort to counter trends and back G-rated material.
Film wisely focuses on a single year in Maravich's life, 1959, when the 13-year-old basketball phenom got a break and made varsity at his Louisiana high school. Encouraged by his visionary college coach dad, little Pete's misadventures as odd man out among older teammates are well-directed by Frank Schroeder.
What gives the indie film oomph is casting of young Adam Guier as the hero. His precocious skill with a basketball is amply displayed in training and game footage, and the tyro actor gives a sympathetic performance. Film climaxes with his team finally pulling together and beating an all-black high school team in a non-sanctioned contest (during this segregated era).
Millie Perkins and Nick Benedict are solid as Pete's parents while Boots garland (who also supervised the basketball scenes) avoids cliches in portraying the old-fashioned coach. He initially scoffs at Maravich's moves, saying "That's all right for the Globetrotters", but ultimately acquiesces while stressing fundamentals.
Pic is obviously a labor of love dedicated to the memory of Maravich, who died in 1988 with the record as all-time college scoring champ. Younger viewers will learn a lot about the early crossover of playing styles now taken for granted in both pro and amateur ranks.