Themes: Custody Battles, Underdogs, Football Players
Main Cast: Goldie Hawn, James Keach, Swoosie Kurtz, Robyn Lively, Brandy Gold, Nipsey Russell, Bruce McGill
Release Year: 1986
Country: US
Run Time: 106 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Blonde-haired, blue-eyed women's libber Molly McGrath (Goldie Hawn) quits her teaching job at a comfortable middle-class school to take a new position as varsity football coach at a predominantly black inner-city school. Culture and gender clashes abound; she must win over the hard-boiled youths, convince them to practice hard and show up for class, and convince them they can win football games. Her job begins to take a toll on her family, however, when her ex-husband (James Keach) attempts to take away her daughter, claiming she is neglecting her responsibilities as a mother. Wildcats marked the fourth sports film directed by Michael Ritchie. ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide
Jan Hooks - Stephanie; M. Emmet Walsh - Coes; Mykelti Williamson - Levander "Bird" Williams; Tab Thacker - Phillip Finch; Nick Corri - Cerulo; Wesley Snipes - Trumaine; Woody Harrelson - Krushinski; Richard Burton Brown - Referee; Steve Carlson - Prescott Quarterback; LL Cool J - Rapper; Ann Doran - Mrs. Chatham; Bruce French - Mayhew; Rodney Hill - Peanut; Albert Michel - Alonzo; Gloria Stuart - Mrs. Connoly; John Vargas - Poolhall Man No. 3; Royce Wallace - Judge; Lee Weaver - Maurice; Chino "Fats" Williams - Poolhall Man #2; George Wyner - Principal Walker; Noel de Souza - Doctor; Stan Foster - Companion No. 2; Gary Austin - Spectator; Sylvester Blaylock - Referee; Pilar Delano - Angelique; Ellia English - Marva; Eddie Frescas - Translator; Hakeem - Boy; Tan'ya Harris - Central Cheerleader; Jenny Havens - Jeannie; Vincent J. Isaac - Companion No. 1; David Kanakes - Goon #1; Gwen McGee - Bird's Girl; David Nieker - Goon No. 2; Lindsey Orr - Central Player; Tony Salome - Mr. Remo; J. Willie Walton - Marvel; Deborah Webber - Spectator; E. Tom Willman - Prescott Assistant Coach
Credit
Gordon A. Webb - Associate Producer, Marion Dougherty - Casting, Joel Hall - Choreography, Paula Smuin - Choreography, Wayne A. Finkelman - Costume Designer, Jennifer Parsons - Costume Designer, Nick Scarano - Costume Designer, Michael Ritchie - Director, Richard A. Harris - Editor, Goldie Hawn - Executive Producer, Hawk Wolinski - Composer (Music Score), James Newton Howard - Composer (Music Score), LL Cool J - Songwriter, Hawk Wolinski - Songwriter, Thomas Dolby - Songwriter, James Newton Howard - Songwriter, Joe Kerr - Songwriter, David Pack - Songwriter, Aaron T. Walker - Songwriter, Cheri Minns - Makeup, Stephen Myles Berger - Production Designer, Boris Leven - Production Designer, Donald Thorin - Cinematographer, Anthea Sylbert - Producer, Phillip Abramson - Set Designer, Cliff Wenger - Special Effects, Donna Garrett - Stunts, Kay H. Whipple - Stunts, Ezra Sacks - Screenwriter, Stanley Brossette - Unit Publicist
Molly McGrath (Goldie Hawn), is the daughter of a famed football coach who's dying to head her own team. When her wish is finally granted, Molly leaves her job coaching girl's track at an affluent High School (Prescott High School) to take over a football team at an inner-city high school (Central High School)--the kind of place where guard dogs are needed to patrol the campus. At first the new coach’s idealism and optimism are suffocated with racial and gender prejudice, but eventually her overriding spirit begins to whip her unruly team into shape. At the same time, she must also struggle to win a battle for the custody of her two young daughters. The real test for Molly comes when her Central High team faces Prescott in the city championship.
