Movie Analysis – Glory Road (2006)
Write a 1,250-1,500-word analysis of a movie of your choice that the instructor approves.
In order to obtain credit you MUST do the following: thoughtfully apply and develop at least two course concepts per section. DO NOT only summarize the movie. Critically assess the movie in order to provide an intellectual response to each of the questions below.
Provide a brief synopsis of the plot and main characters.
Describe the role of leadership in the movie. What types of leadership were used? In what ways does leadership help the group achieve their goals?
What methods are used to reinforce the group’s identity (verbal & nonverbal)? What do the leaders do to reinforce and support the group’s decisions?
How does the group handle conflict? Are these conflicts constructive or destructive? In what ways?
Are there any ‘sidebar’ conversations among group members? How do conversations like these help the group achieve their goals? Do these types of conversations negatively or positively affect the group? How so?
Does the leader remind the group of the group’s purpose/goal? How does this help the group? Why is this important for the group?
You must use a minimum of five cited and referenced sources.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Movie Analysis – Glory Road (2006)
Student’s Name
Institution
Course Name and Number
Date
Movie Analysis – Glory Road (2006)
Synopsis
Directed by James Gartner, Glory Road (2006) tells the story of the Texas Western college basketball team (Miners) that went on to win the NCAA national championship under the leadership of Coach Don Haskins. Without a budget to recruit new players, Haskins decides to look for black and talented basketball players at a time when playing them was frowned upon. Although he faced many stumbling blocks, Haskins managed to recruit seven black players into his team, assembling a team that would overcome all the odds to win the NCAA national championship. Glory Road is an inspirational movie that offers many leadership and teamwork lessons that people from all walks of life can learn.
Role of Leadership
Leadership plays an instrumental role in the movie as it is the main factor contributing to the basketball team's formation and success. Coach Haskins' role in the team's success in the many games and the NCAA national championship final is immense. At a time when college basketball was characterized by racism and no black players were allowed to play, Haskins decided to set up a team comprising primarily of black basketball players. His belief in the team makes all the difference as the team members started believing they could win games and eventually the championship final.
Haskins demonstrates both authoritarian and democratic leadership styles. According to Northouse (2018), authoritarian leaders exert influence and control and make it clear that they are in charge. They determine the tasks and procedures for the group members (Northouse, 2018). Before starting training the basketball players, Haskins made it clear that he was in charge and outlined the players' rules. He mentions that things would be done his way, banning the boys from drinking alcohol and having girlfriends. The autocratic leadership style allowed the team to be disciplined and to win games. Haskins later demonstrates democratic leadership when they were losing in the middle of a game. He allows the boys to play their game. As noted by Northouse (2020), a democratic leader treats followers as capable of carrying out tasks on their own. The democratic leadership style demonstrated by the coach allowed the team to win the game.
Reinforcing Group Identity
Group identity is a vital factor in the success of a team. According to Reis and Puente-Palacios (2019), team identity contributes to team satisfaction and performance. Given this understanding, reinforcing group identity is a key factor that can determine a team's success. Several methods are evident in the movie that reinforce group identity, both verbal and nonverbal. Before each game, the team holds hands together and shouts, "one two three, Miners!" This act comprises both verbal and non-verbal acts, and it is an incredible show of togetherness and plays an instrumental role in reinforcing group identity. Another non-verbal method of reinforcing group identity from the movie comprises dancing and music. The players dance and enjoy playing music in the bus as they travel to play away games (Gartner, 2006). Other methods of reinforcing group identity from the movie include team talk and praying together.
As a leader, Haskins plays a key role in reinforcing group identity and helping the team succeed. The coach discourages the players from playing their own game; he fosters a way of play that discourages individualism. He promotes norms that help members feel part of the group in this sense. This is instrumental in boosting the self-esteem of members (Charness & Chen, 2020). The leader, therefore, helped reinforce group identity, which boosted the team’s unity.
Conflict
Conflict is inevitable in a competitive environment and more so in a team comprising of white and black players in 1966 America. The way the conflict is handled determines how the team will come out of it. As the leader, Coach Haskins handles conflicts expertly through conversations and arriving at a common front. Nevertheless, there are situations where the group handled conflict well, and there are others where the conflict got the better of them and cause...