[inspirational music]
-[sharp scratching]
-[clacking]
[uplifting music]
[Robert]
My father always
talked about the rhythm.
[echoing thudding]
He said it was something
inside all of us,
and he taught me
how to use mine on the ice.
[echoing scratching]
He also said
that this was a skill
that was passed down to me
from generation to generation.
You see, my grandfather
played on an all-Black
hockey team in Nova Scotia.
He said that this team
was lightning fast.
Rumor has it
that they were unstoppable.
Why were they so good?
It was because
they had the rhythm.
[gentle tone]
[dramatic music]
[sharp scratching]
Hey, I'm Coach Smith.
I was watching you out there.
Where'd you learn
to skate like that?
Let me see it.
Good job, Son!
[Robert]
My father taught me.
[Smith]
Any interest in playing with us?
Me playing with a bunch
of white guys?
No, I'm good.
Well, if you change your mind,
we have practice here
tomorrow at seven.
-You did good today, man.
I'm proud of you.
-Thank you, sir.
You got that
slap shot down, boy.
Buck, run!
-[g*nshots]
-[echoing young Robert
screams] Daddy!
[shakily breathes]
[gentle music]
[knocking on door]
[door creaking]
[chuckles]
[humming]
Grandma, you really think
He hears you?
-[chuckles] I know He does.
-[choir music]
...my soul
and all that is within me,
-bless His holy name...
-Oh...
[Robert]
One thing you can
always count on
with my grandmother
that she was praying.
She spent a lot of time
with the Lord.
But for me, I never understood
the whole church thing.
I always looked at it
as a good time to take a nap.
...glory,
because He's a great God.
-He's a good God...
-Come on in. Here,
come sit next to me.
[chuckles]
Uh, well, how was your day?
Mm, actually...
...I was at the hockey rink.
And this coach came up to me,
this, this white guy,
asked me to play for his team.
You're thinking
about playing again.
-[chuckles] I thought
you gave up after all--
-Yeah, I know, I know,
-I know, I just--
-Well, baby,
your father would be
so proud of you.
[gentle music]
This game is in your blood.
[laughs] Your dad
played this game
like he was mad at the puck.
[laughs] He, uh, he used to say,
"If it wasn't for us,
the only thing black
in this sport
would be the puck." [laughs]
-Oh...
-I don't know, Grandma.
I don't know
if I can play this game.
You're just gonna stay mad?
Or are you gonna
get out on that ice
and show them who you are?
-[birds chirping]
-[sharp scratching]
-I got it, I got it.
-[clacking]
-Got it!
-[crowd cheering]
[coach]
Check number 30.
[light dramatic music]
Come on, let's go!
Nice shot!
-[horn blaring]
-[indistinct shouting]
-[laughing]
-[grunts and groans]
-Go around the other way.
Look out, look out.
-Okay, charge!
-[crowd cheering and whistling]
-[horn blaring]
-[laughing]
-Here he comes! Here he comes!
[horn blaring]
-[cheering and laughing]
-[whistle blowing]
Guys, come on!
You take number 30 out. Got it?
-Yes, Coach.
-Yes, we got it.
[tense music]
-[sharp scratching]
-[clacking]
-[grunting and groaning]
-[crowd gasping]
[horn blaring]
[player 1]
Look out! He went around!
Get him, get him,
get him, get him!
-[groaning]
-[thudding]
Keep your Black a*s off the ice.
[loud heart beating]
[Robert]
There was like
this pent up rage inside me
that was just waiting
to come out.
All from that one day
that I lost
one of the most important
people in my life.
[shouting and grunting]
[crowd indistinctly muttering]
Call the paramedics!
[panting]
[light ominous tone]
[melancholic music]
-[Robert] The payoff...
-[indistinct chatter]
...seven years in the pen
for attempted m*rder.
[echoing distant creaking]
[keys rattling]
Cecil! Got a new roommate.
Top bunk's all yours, brother.
[sighs]
Uh, welcome to them
Taj Mahal, baby.
[chuckles]
You ain't never stayed
nowhere this nice, have you?
Just wait until dinner time.
Lobster and steak.
-[sighs]
-It's five star, baby! [laughs]
Five star! [chuckles]
By the way,
what's your name, new one?
New one, what's your name, boy?
Okay, so cat got your tongue.
Let me tell you something,
new one.
Even though you ain't talking...
...it's always good to have
somebody to talk to.
["Hennything Is Possible"
by Elijah]
Tahoe with the black tent
Houston girl, heavy accent
Boy, my whole swag is magic
High five, fantastic
Make the money stretch
like elastic...
[inmate]
Fresh fish. [chuckles]
...just to pulling
that big boy salary
It's just the way
that it has to be
I'm a bad boy, Mike Lowrey
[clanking]
I'll tell you something, man.
Don't trust nobody in here.
I'm talking, keep eyes
on the back of your head.
You know what I'm saying?
What got you in here
in the first place?
I got into a fight on the ice.
[Cecil]
On the ice?
What do you mean, "on the ice"?
I played hockey.
-[Cecil] Hockey?
-These white guys
tried to take me out.
[chuckling] I ain't even think
Black people played hockey.
Well, believe it or not,
I come from a family
of great hockey players.
Mm.
What got you in here?
Angry at my girlfriend.
And the guy that she was with.
And I ended up in here
with a... lot of other people
that couldn't control
their anger and walk away too.
[clanking]
Think you'll make it
out of here?
I don't know.
It could happen
sooner than you think, bro.
Let me tell you something,
I know why.
In here,
you don't have many choices.
They make 'em for you.
But out there,
you got all the choices
in the world.
[engine rumbling]
[sighs]
-Hello, Robert.
-What are you doing here, man?
I just wanted to come see you.
I also have
some good news for you.
After all this time, what,
wha-- what possible good news
could you have for me?
Man, I should've
never played for your team.
[melancholic music]
How do I know it wasn't you
that put me out there,
that set me up
from the very beginning?
How do I know it wasn't you
that put me out there
on purpose,
knowing that they would
single me out?
I put you out on the ice
because you're
a damn good hockey player.
Look,
I spoke with an attorney,
and we think we figured a way
to get you out of here.
Part of the requirement says
you may have to do
some community service
on your probation.
So I'm supposed to trust you?
[birds chirping]
[pastor preaching on radio]
...hope gets us through.
I wish I had
three of y'all, I just--
I feel like preaching.
All right, just step in.
I wish I had two of y'all
who could do justice by God!
The Lord's waiting
to deliver you out.
-But He'll show enough
to get you through.
-[softly] Oh!
Some of y'all waiting on God
to bring the...
-[phone ringing]
-[in normal voice] Ooh.
[preaching
indistinctly continues]
Hello?
[deeply exhales]
Yeah, hey, Grandma.
[exhaling] Hey, baby.
How you doing?
Grandma, how you think
I'm doing in here?
I hate it in here.
I understand, baby,
but, loo-- yo--
you didn't deserve what you got.
But all I'm asking
is that you trust God.
Grandma, I don't wanna hear
all that, okay?
I-- I don't wanna hear
about God, none of that.
Don't let their hate
consume you, okay?
All I'm asking...
is that you don't give up.
It's not a life sentence.
Just trust God. Just have faith.
Grandma, I don't wanna hear
about all that praying.
It's-- it's not working!
Mm, mm-mm. It does, baby.
-[indistinct chatter]
-No, Grandma-- I gotta go.
-[indistinct preaching
continues]
-Mm.
You're always pacing,
man. Seriously.
Why you always so mad?
[deeply breathes]
I don't know, man, I just...
...think about life.
It's just so unfair!
I got news for you, man.
Life is unfair for everybody.
But it ain't right!
I'm not supposed to be in here!
[chuckles] Me neither.
I'm not supposed to be in here.
Everybody out there,
they not supposed to be in here.
You know how many times
I hear that a day?
Let me tell you something.
If you wanna make it in here...
...and in here...
...you seriously gonna have
to check your attitude.
[melancholic music]
[crickets chirping]
[Robert's father]
My son,
your grandfather
used to wear this,
he believed it brought him luck.
I believe that it's more
than just luck.
[engine rumbling]
All right, Taylor, time to go.
I'll be out in a minute.
[guard]
Yep.
All right.
I don't wanna see you
in here no more.
You hear me?
Keep your head up, man.
Stay strong.
[music increases]
[rattling and clinking]
Robert Taylor.
I'm your chauffeur!
What?
Come on, man.
I'm your ride, bro.
[sighs] Man, get in the car.
[birds chirping]
Obviously,
I'm not your chauffeur.
Now, officially,
I'm your parole officer,
but realistically...
...I'm more
like your conscience.
Matter of fact,
you might as well call me God
because I see all, I hear all,
and when it comes to you,
I know all.
Are we clear?
Crystal.
Now put your seat belt on.
[engine rumbling]
[birds chirping]
Look, hold, hold,
hold, hold on, man.
Tomorrow morning,
bright and early,
you will report
to the Butzel Community Center.
When you get there, you will see
a lady named Ms. Olivia Carson.
-What am I doing there--
-Whatever she tells you to do.
[sighing]
Where you going
tomorrow morning, Robert?
-Butzel Community Center.
-Who you gonna see, Robert?
-Ms. Carson.
-And what you gonna do?
-Whatever she tells me--
-Whatever she tells you to do.
Man, get out of my car.
[crickets chirping]
[gentle music]
[Grandma]
Tried to keep
all your things intact.
-I see.
-[chuckles]
You know what I think?
I think that you should start
wearing this again.
[sighs] For what, Grandma?
-For good luck?
-I-- it-- it's not
for good luck.
It's a symbol
that represents Him.
Jesus loves you so much
that He died just for you,
so that you could have
a victorious life.
It's in the Word.
Don't be afraid.
Just believe.
[birds chirping]
["Stays the Same"
by Gloria Tells]
[inaudible chatter]
Jump back with friends!
Lean right, let's see!
Lean to your left!
Right foot, work it out for me!
[knocking softly]
[Olivia]
Come in!
Hey, I'm looking for Olivia.
I'm Olivia. Uh,
you must be Robert!
Um, welcome to Butzel!
Have a seat. [chuckles]
-[sighs]
-[Olivia clears throat]
[clicks tongue] So,
I heard about your story.
And I just want you to know,
I don't think you should've been
in that prison
in the first place.
I think you're gonna
like it here, Robert.
Call me Buck.
Oh, okay. [chuckles] Buck.
-How'd you get that name?
-I was named
after my grandfather.
Listen, w-- what are you
gonna have me doing here?
-Well--
-And how does someone like you
-end up in a place like this?
-What? Because I'm white?
I mean... yeah.
This community center
does a lot for people,
and it gives kids a chance
to learn to ice skate,
which so many of them have
never even experienced before.
I don't know. I,
I've loved ice skating
since I was a kid. [chuckles]
And then Coach Smith told me
about this job and I thought,
"Okay, this could work."
Those some of the kids?
Oh. Yeah.
Uh, this was before I got here.
[clicks tongue] Look,
I've always believed that
people deserve second chances,
and that's what
this community center
is all about.
So when this opportunity
came around, I don't know.
I just kind of
fell in love with it.
-And now you run the place.
-[chuckles]
Well, I manage
the day-to-day operations.
Well, let me show you around!
Um, come with me. [chuckles]
[gentle music]
[sighs] Without this center,
I don't know what we would do.
I mean, some of these families
just don't have the resources
to provide meals for their kids
or clothes to keep them warm.
[door creaking]
[muffled indistinct chatter]
[softly chuckles]
-[indistinct chatter increases]
-[woman laughs]
And this is our hockey rink.
Butzel is the only
community center in Detroit
with a hockey rink.
And you're gonna make
the perfect coach.
Coach?
Coach who?
So it's not the best,
but it's all we have.
[Robert]
Yo, this place is a dump!
-Is this--
-[sighs]
This the name of the team?
Sponsored
by Rusty Mechanics! [chuckles]
[softly scoffs]
[sighs and grunts]
This is a waste of time.
The boys need to learn
to play this game like you did.
[sighs] Like I did.
Oh, uh, I almost forgot.
I got you... a whistle!
So now it is official.
[chuckles]
[upbeat jazz music]
-[sharp scratching]
-[indistinct chatter]
[Percy grunts and sighs]
Hey, Robert.
You know, when I found out
you tried to play hockey,
I thought it was a joke.
And then-- [laughs]
then they told me
you was coming out here
to coach them.
[laughing] I said, "Nah.
I know they're clowning now."
Come on, man!
Man, they can't even skate!
-[indistinct chatter]
-And you ain't learned
from your own mistakes.
So what you
gonna teach them? Huh?
No, no, no. You know what I see?
I see a loser
leading these little th*gs
straight to me,
so I can take 'em
straight to prison.
-Just like you.
-[indistinct shouting]
That's what I see.
[boy]
Yeah!
[music continues]
[Percy deeply exhales]
Oh!
[indistinct chatter]
[Mike]
...man, you just be cheating.
That's what I'm sa--
[Jojo]
...saying, bro. I can't,
bro. Like, every time I,
-like, I just can't.
-Hey!
Y'all playing
for the hockey team or what?
Black people don't play hockey.
-It's too cold in here...
-[Jojo] Yeah! What?
-...come on.
-Playing basketball
if they didn't take
-the rooms, you know.
-I don't know if you noticed,
but look at them.
We aren't that great.
But I'm the new coach.
There's gonna be
a lot of changes around here.
If y'all trying to play...
...be on the ice.
[whistle blowing]
Come on, guys, gather around!
-At least you guys
can stand on skates.
-[clatter]
Well, almost.
Look, I got something
for you guys. Here.
-[indistinct groaning]
-Hey, what is this, man?
What i-- what is this?
-Rusty nuts?
What is this? It smell--
-[cross talk]
[Robert] Hey, hey!
Fellas, fellas, fellas,
fellas, this what we got.
Let's run some drills.
[upbeat music]
-[sharp scratching]
-[clacking]
All right, guys, keep going.
If you can't skate,
just walk around.
Coach, man! How much more
are we doing today, man?
-I'm tired!
-Look, man...
...I know your size
makes it hard for you to
kind of skate fast
like the others,
but your size is
a massive advantage.
-For real?
-[Robert] Absolutely!
Everybody just tells me
I'm too fat to do anything.
Nah, man, they're jealous
of what you got.
Matter of fact...
...I'm making you goalie.
Let me show you. Put these on.
This one on that hand, okay?
Hey, come out here,
come out here, come out here.
So... it's all about
staying focused
and keeping your eye
on the target.
[grumbles] You got
gloves on, you got padding.
You'll be all right!
You don't have to be
afraid of it.
I don't know, man.
Listen, this is
what I want you to do.
I want you to bend your knees,
spread your arms out
as wide as you can.
There you go.
Keep your eye
on the target, all right?
All right, man.
Let's see what you got.
Okay. Now, you wanna stay loose
so you can go
side to side, okay?
You can block the pucks
coming your way, okay?
Like this one.
[shakily] I don't know, man!
-Ready.
-No.
[shouts] No!
[engines rumbling]
-[knocking on door]
-Hey, Palmer.
What's the word?
[clicks tongue] Budget.
-Mm.
-I have been going through
all of these figures.
It seems like
some of the neighborhood
recreation centers
are just a big waste
of the city's time and money.
Like Butzel.
All these expenses
associated with the maintenance
of a hockey rink.
-Who's playing hockey
over there?
-[laughs]
-No one! [laughing]
-No one. Exactly.
Uh, you know what?
I think I've got
a very lucrative offer...
...for a deal on that land
from a developer
who wants to turn it
into a shopping center.
It would be great
tax revenue for the city!
And it may be
a good revenue stream for, uh,
you and me.
[upbeat hip-hop music]
[clacking]
[sharp scratching]
[Robert loudly exhales]
You need to work
on your slap shot.
-Man, what?
-[Mr. Little] I said you need
to work on your slap shot.
And another thing,
stop holding the stick
so close, okay?
It's too close to your body.
You gotta, you gotta
give it some room, you know?
-The stick ain't your woman.
-Man, what do you know
about hockey?
Let's just say
I know a little something.
Like you never wanna turn
your back away from the puck.
It's like life.
You never wanna turn
your back on your problems.
You wanna face them head on.
You see, your problem is
that you keep turning
your back on things.
Yeah, that's right.
I've been watching you
and listening.
-Look, Son, I wanna help you.
-Help me what?
Help you bake cookies, dummy!
What do you think
I'm talking about?
I wanna help you
be a better hockey player.
Now, look, I think
you got a great chance
-at making it into NHL.
-The NHL?
What makes you think
they're gonna let me
play in the NHL?
You see, that's the problem,
I don't need you to think.
You let me do all the thinking.
You just worry
about playing hockey.
-But i--
-But, but, but,
but, but nothing.
Just meet me here tomorrow night
and be ready to work.
-[line ringing]
-[woman sighs]
[sighs]
So, I see you trying
to call your father again.
[line ringing]
Mike, listen,
it's clear that your dad
doesn't want anything
to do with you.
So you might as well
stop calling.
Your father left here
a long time ago.
Back when you were, like, four.
And he never bothered
to even call
to check on you,
me, or your sisters.
Lowdown, good for nothing,
son of a--
[Robert shouts]
Hey, anybody here?
[Mr. Little]
I'm over here, boy.
[Robert]
Man, why you got the lights
off in here?
I can't see you!
Can you see me now?
[sharp scratching]
Here, read this.
Tell me what it says.
"Walk on tryouts
for the Port Huron Flyers."
[grunts] What makes you think
I can make this team?
Well, there you go
thinking again.
I told you,
leave the thinking to me,
you just focus on hockey.
Now let me see you
hit that puck over there.
-That puck right there?
-Yes.
[Robert]
You'll see.
[shouts] Hey, what--
What'd you do with the light?
[Mr. Little laughs]
Oh, here it is! I'm here!
[Robert]
Hey! Mr. Little!
[Mr. Little]
Right there! There it goes!
There it goes! [laughing]
[Robert]
Quit playing, man!
I, I can't see a thing!
[Mr. Little]
Look, if you can learn
how to play in the dark,
when the lights come on,
you'll be unstoppable!
You gotta learn how to feel
the ice and not see it.
-Right there. [laughs]
-[Robert] Hey!
-Turn the lights on!
-[light switch clicks]
All right,
so show me your slap shot.
-My slap shot?
-Yes. Is there
another kind, dummy?
Well, actually,
there is, old man.
There's a slap shot,
-and then...
-[loud clacking]
...there's... my... slap shot.
Okay. Okay, now we talking.
Now we talking.
[clacking]
-[clacking]
-[sharp scratching]
[indistinct chatter]
[sighs] So, how we looking?
We got ourselves
a hockey team yet?
Easier said than done.
Can you have them ready in,
uh, two weeks?
Two weeks?
-For what?
-The game in the Junior League.
We gotta get them started
like everyone else.
Olivia, look at them!
Do you really think
they're ready for that?
Yeah.
We don't stand a chance.
[upbeat music]
-[indistinct chatter]
-[sharp scratching]
It's live, it's live!
Let's go, let's go, let's go!
Coach, man, I don--
I don't know, man. I'm...
not feeling too good again, man.
-My stomach's starting to hurt.
-Oh, no, Jojo, not again!
Listen, Jojo,
I know you can do this.
-You know why I know
you can do it?
-No.
Because ain't nobody
bad like you.
-[crowd cheering and booing]
-Say it with me.
-"Ain't nobody bad like me."
-Ain't nobody bad like me.
-Say it again.
-Ain't nobody bad like me.
Okay, get out there!
Come on, Jojo, you can do it!
Ain't nobody bad like you!
Ain't nobody bad like you!
-[crowd cheering]
-[whistle blows]
-[grunting and groaning]
-[upbeat suspenseful music]
-Hey, nice shot, man.
-[horn blaring]
Come on, man,
you better than that.
Come on, fat man.
You got the puck.
Uh-uh. I quit, man. I quit.
Hey, Jojo, Jojo, wai-- wait,
we need you out there, man.
Man, this game's stupid!
I'm done!
No, quitting is stupid.
And once you become a quitter,
you'll be a quitter
for the rest of your life, man.
Losing is temporary,
but quitting is forever, man.
Pick up that stick
and get back on that ice.
I got it, I got it!
-[thudding]
-[groaning]
-[horn blaring]
-[scoreboard buzzing]
[indistinct shouting
and cheering]
[coach]
Good job, guys!
You did really well, boys.
[man laughs]
Good job out there.
All right. Hey,
keep your head up.
[sighs]
So, you must be Coach Buck.
-Yes, ma'am.
-[chuckles] Please,
don't call me ma'am.
That sounds so old! [laughs]
My acquaintances
call me Virginia,
but my friends call me Gege.
My son really doesn't have
that father figure in his life,
so I appreciate guys like you.
You know, taking
the time out with the kids
and keeping them
off the streets, you know.
-Well, ma'am-- uh, Gege...
-[chuckles]
-...thank you.
-You're welcome.
And, um,
if you ever have a taste
for some smothered
pork chops, rice, gravy,
some homemade biscuits...
[chuckles] look me up.
Looks like you have an admirer.
[laughs]
No, she's way out of my league.
Mm, can't say I blame her.
I mean, you're helping kids
discover themselves
and teaching them about a game
they knew nothing about.
You're pretty awesome.
Look, Olivia,
I really appreciate you
giving me this job,
but we gotta chill
on the pep talk.
I don't need you
as a cheerleader in my life.
What do you need
in your life then, Buck?
-[wind blowing]
-[birds chirping]
[Jessica]
Flash!
Flash!
What?
Hey, I need to talk to you!
So, what's going on?
Tell me.
I'm pregnant, Flash.
What?
Uh, no, h*--
how do you know for sure?
What do you mean,
"how do I know for sure"?
-God, I'm, like,
two months late.
-Oh, no.
I'm scared, Flash.
I'm scared, and I-- what, what
are we supposed to do? Huh?
-I don't know.
-What are we supposed
to do, Flash?
-I don't know! I don't know.
-[sharply exhales]
-[sniffles]
-I don't know.
["Oh (feat. Jessie Villa)"
by Nu Alkemi$t]
[Robert]
They call this "hockey town"
with some of the greatest
hockey players and fans.
But just a few blocks away,
there's another whole world
of hockey that exists
that they probably
don't even know about.
[woman vocalizing]
Sunrise
Perfect on your face
talkin' all night
Memorizing ways
you feel right
Fit in a place so dreamlike
[vocalizing]
Uh, excuse me, Ms. Carson.
-[Olivia] Hi.
-Hi. I'm Mr. Palmer.
I'm the director
of the Department of Recreation
-for the city of Detroit.
-Oh, yeah. Hi.
-Um, nice to meet you.
How can I help you?
-[Palmer] Hi.
Well, I am here to inform you
that due to budget cuts,
we are going to be
closing this location
of the recreation center.
[tense music]
Maintenance
of the skating rink alone
is costing the city
thousands of dollars.
Uh--
I'm sorry.
What?
D-- do you realize
what this rec center means
for the community?
We have hockey!
We have figure skating.
We, we feed people.
We clothe people.
-We give kids a place to stay!
-[Palmer] Unfortunately,
the decision
has already been made.
What it costs
to maintain this facility
is invalidating the expense.
And I'm afraid, at this point,
there is nothing else
that can be done.
Mr. Palmer,
if you could please reconsider.
I only came here as a courtesy.
-I'm sorry.
-[indistinct chatter]
[upbeat music]
[sharp scratching]
-Let's get him!
-Let's do it!
-[thudding]
-[groaning]
-What you doing playing hokey?
-Stick to basketball, kid.
No foul! Break it up.
-No, wait--
-Nice shot! Nice!
Man, this is too easy!
[boy]
What are you doing?
-[groaning]
-[loud thudding]
[Jojo]
Wait a minute, wait a minute,
wait a minute!
[horn blaring]
[scoreboard buzzing]
[Flash]
Coach, can I talk to you
for a second?
Yeah, man, what's up?
[Flash]
My girlfriend Jessica
is pregnant.
What?
Yeah.
-Did you tell anybody?
-No.
Not even her parents?
No, they're crazy, I can't!
[sighs] Look, man,
I-- I know it's tough.
You gotta tell her parents.
[melancholic music]
-Get the hell out of here!
Get in here!
-[crying] Dad!
[door slams]
[sobs]
-[rain splattering]
-[thunder distantly rumbling]
-Hey, Papa.
-Hey, Flash.
-How you doing?
-I'm good.
Good.
-[grunts]
-[cutlery clinks]
-I see you didn't take
your prescriptions again.
-[sighs]
Forget this medication.
I don't need it.
How's your hockey thing going?
It's good,
I'm getting better at it.
You ever heard
of Jackie Robinson?
-Who's Jackie Robinson?
-[laughs]
Jackie Robinson
was the first Black player
in Major League Baseball.
[clicks tongue] He broke
the color line back in 1947.
Now, the white players,
they knew
that if they gave
Jackie Robinson a chance,
he'd take one of their jobs.
[chuckles]
And I believe...
just like Jackie Robinson,
you guys are gonna make history.
And papa gonna be there
to support you.
[chuckles]
[melancholic music]
Hey, what's wrong with you?
What's going on?
Huh?
Jessica's pregnant.
[sharply exhales]
Hey,
it's gonna be all right.
It's gonna be all right.
[indistinct chatter]
-[sharp scratching]
-[clacking]
Hey, you know what?
I was just thinking.
There's a kid named Corey
that used to skate here a lot.
He's really good too.
Hmm.
But... he's out there
in them streets
slinging drugs for his uncle.
[indistinct shouting]
I think you need to try
to recruit him for your team.
You'd probably find him
on the basketball court.
You think so?
Yeah, I do.
["Know the Game" by Lil Red Sky]
They talk about me
but it's unoriginal
World wide
higher than the Pinnacle
Five stars
I'm the one yo lady want
-Here comes Valent.
-I know, yo, I'll be back.
...around town
flying higher than a dove
If a hater try to talk
we gonna send 'em
Up above, putting in work
I don't need no gloves
MC Hammer...
-What's up, man?
You got that on you?
-Yes, sir.
...talk, but they all
say the same thing
Win everywhere that I go
like Lebron James
Got different flows
you can call me a mood ring
Can you back out my face...
Hey, Corey!
-You Corey?
-Depends on who's asking.
[Robert]
I'm the new hockey coach
over at the hockey rink.
Heard you was a pretty good
hockey player back in the day.
[Corey]
I used to do
a little something something.
-[Robert] Why'd you quit?
-I had no time for it.
[Robert]
Your parents know
what you're doing out here?
Mm, man, I don't know
what you're talking about, man.
I'm talking about your slinging.
Man, I gotta do what I gotta do
to survive in these streets.
Well, I just got out of prison.
Ain't no picnic in there, man.
Ain't no joke, it's for real.
Somebody young like you...
...they'll eat you up.
[laughs]
[indistinct chatter]
[engines rumbling]
So, are we ready
to move forward with this deal?
Yes, we are.
The building has been notified
-and we start demolition
in two weeks.
-That's good news.
[chuckles] I see you are very,
very comfortable
with your hand
in the cookie jar, huh?
Trust me,
I have just as much
at stake as you do.
Besides, those buildings
are a waste of the city's money!
[sighs] All right,
let's just get it moving, okay?
[coughing]
[loudly exhales] Okay.
-Come on.
-[pills rattling]
[melancholic music]
[grunts]
[sighs]
[loudly coughing]
[heavily breathing]
[indistinct chatter]
So, I heard about the tryouts.
So, you gonna give it a shot?
You know how many Black players
made it to the pros?
I don't think
any of 'em been to prison.
[chuckles]
Okay. All right, so,
you already made up your mind
that you can't do it.
But you tell them
that they can do it.
Are your odds
any greater than theirs?
It's two different worlds,
Olivia.
[Olivia]
Don't tell me, Black and white?
Exactly.
Is everything about
skin color with you?
Yes! Yes, it is!
We always get
the short end of the stick.
I understand that,
but you can't clump us all
into the same category!
There are bad people
in every race, Buck.
Well, I had my share
of the bad ones.
["Coldest Soul" by Ghost Beatz]
[sharp scratching]
[loud clacking]
[grunts]
Boy, when I see you
out there on that ice,
I see somebody
that really loves the game.
[loudly exhaling]
Honestly, I don't know
if I still do.
[chuckles]
Well... [grunts]
love it or not, Son,
you need to make it
to those tryouts.
I don't know.
[scoffs] When are you gonna stop
blaming everybody else
because your life
didn't go as planned, huh?
I got news for you, Buck.
Nobody's life does,
including mine.
Man, forget all that.
My father was m*rder*d
right in front of me.
[muffled grunting]
-[g*nsh*t]
-There was no justice, none!
[melancholic music]
That same justice system
comes down on me!
Come on, man, what do you know?
-What do I know?
-[Robert] What do you know?
What do I know?
You wanna know what I know?
Back in the day,
I loved this game!
I loved it! I played it
with all of my heart!
All I wanted to do
was play the game!
One game,
a couple of white boys,
they tried to take me out.
They got me with a shot
to my knee caps,
a sharp blow!
And even though I was in pain,
I stayed in that game!
Even scored a couple goals
that helped my team
win that night.
And the crowd, they hated me.
You know why?
Because I was
the only Black player
on a pro hockey team.
Yeah, that's right.
So what do I know?
Man, I understand
the barriers that come
when you try to play this game.
[inspirational music]
You played pro?
I was one
of the first Black players...
...to ever play in the NHL.
But because of that knee injury,
I had to retire,
I had to give it all up.
See, even though they took away
my ability to play...
...they could never take away
the game that's in my heart.
Man, I love this game.
I love it!
That's the reason
why I work here.
Just so I can be
around the players,
in the atmosphere.
I just wish that more
of our young Black kids
would learn how to play it!
That's why it's important
that you make it, Buck.
They need to see you!
That's why you're here!
Um,
I didn't know
you went through all that.
[chuckles]
I played four years.
Four years in the NHL.
[chuckles]
By the way,
man, I think you're doing
a great job with these kids.
-[clacking]
-[sharp scratching]
[indistinct chatter]
[Robert]
Hey, keep going, keep going!
Get back up!
Yeah, that's it!
Think about what I said?
Yeah, I did.
What'd you think?
Wanna play or what?
I'mma play.
All right.
[upbeat music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[Robert]
In most Black neighborhoods,
going to roller skating rinks
was a common thing.
It was something
that everybody did.
Roller skating
just comes natural for us.
We just skate with grace
and rhythm to a funky groove,
which gave me an idea.
Nah, that's--
This is amazing.
Hey, yo, look at them skates
over there, man,
-that's crazy!
-[Jojo] Man,
what is you talking about?
-Look at the girls, man!
-Oh, yeah, for sure...
-Nah, look at her, bro!
-...the girls.
-Man, no, what you talking
about? Look at them.
-You are not
looking at her, you're looking
at her hot dog, bro.
-[laughter]
-You're so funny.
-[indistinct chatter]
-Hey, hey, hey, hey, fellas.
We didn't come here
for the girls.
We came here
to see what's happening
on the floor. Look at that.
Look at them
skating to the rhythm.
That rhythm, man.
That's in you guys, all right?
I want you guys to do
is get some skates,
have some fun, feel the music,
and most importantly,
I want you guys to skate
to the rhythm, all right?
Just like they're doing.
All right, go ahead, go ahead.
Get some skates,
get some skates. Have some fun.
Have some fun. Come on,
Corey, have some fun.
-I know you wanna get out there.
-[Corey chuckles]
[music continues]
-Whoo!
-[cheering]
[Robert]
What you saw
at the roller skating rink...
...were people that put
their heart and soul
into skating.
You saw the balance.
You saw the confidence.
Most importantly,
you saw people that were one...
...with the rhythm.
And all skating requires,
whether you're on the wood
or on the ice,
all it takes is the rhythm.
Check it out. Corey,
you're like the drums, man.
You're like the drums,
you're that underlying beat...
-...that we all have to follow.
-Got it, Coach.
Flash,
you're like the guitar, man.
You're that constant
steady melody
that the rhythm follows.
All right?
Mike. Mike, man,
you're like the horns, bro.
You gotta add that flair
to every single goal you make.
-You got it, coach.
-[Robert] You got me?
Jojo. Jojo, man,
you're like the bass,
baby, you like the bass!
And the bass gotta protect
that goal, you feel that?
See, when we all come together,
we make the perfect band!
And you find that rhythm in you,
and win with it.
Come on, hold on--
hold on a second,
I hear something.
I hear something.
I hear something,
it's in the ice.
It's in the ice, I hear!
I hear it, it's in the ice!
Come on, come down with me!
We-- we in the ice, you hear it?
You hear? Yeah!
Yeah, you hear it?
-You hear that rhythm?
You hear that? You hear that?
-[indistinct chatter]
-Yeah! Yeah, bounce with me,
bounce with me, bounce with me.
-Yeah--
-Yeah, yeah!
-Yeah, yeah! See, that
same rhythm, that same rhythm
is what you heard
at the roller rink, okay?
The same thing
at the roller rink,
you can use it on ice.
We can win with something
the other teams don't have.
And that's the rhythm.
The rhythm! The rhythm.
-Say it with me, the rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-...rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-Rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-Rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-[Robert] Let's go!
-[cheering]
-Let's skate, baby!
Let's skate! Let's skate!
Let's skate! Yeah!
[upbeat music]
[laughing]
-Come on!
-Yeah, right in--
-[sharp scratching]
-Oh!
[loud clacking]
-[indistinct chatter]
-["Dawg" by Gee Smiff
& INNXCENT]
I can't accept the loss
I'm hard-headed
-Hard-headed
-There's a little bit
of madness to my method
Many falling off
that fine line
that I'm treading
I'll risk anything
to be great
and I'm not letting...
-[whistle blows]
-[indistinct chatter]
Good shot. Let's go!
-...that's what I'm into
-I'm into
Win by any means
only thing that makes
sense to me
-[laughs]
-[whistle blows]
-Oh!
-[crowd indistinctly shouting]
-[cheering]
-Come on!
[scoreboard buzzing]
[all cheering]
-[Robert] That's what
I'm talking about!
-Now that you guys
are the rhythm,
I thought you might like these.
-[all] Ooh!
-[laughing] Oh!
[all chanting]
The Rhythm! The Rhythm!
The Rhythm! The Rhythm!
The Rhythm! The Rhythm!
The Rhythm! The Rhythm!
-[cheering]
-Yeah! Yeah!
["Dawg" continues]
-[thudding]
-[groaning]
Hey, C! Let's go!
[horn blaring]
-[thudding]
-[groaning]
[indistinct shouting]
-[crowd cheering]
-[horn blaring]
[scoreboard buzzing]
-[cheering and laughing]
-[indistinct chatter]
-[Ray] Hey.
-[boy distantly] Let's go!
-Dawg! Well, that's on the plug.
-[indistinct chatter]
-Y'all, it's the silly ninja.
-[laughing]
Well, well, well,
it's the Black hockey players.
-what is y'all? The Black butt?
-[laughing]
Yo! Hey, you Gege's boy,
ain't you?
-Yeah.
-Hey, cuz, I know
your mama real well.
-Hey, dawg, tell her
to call me, all right?
-[cross talk]
[Ray]
That's what I'm talking about,
she took one for the team!
Stop talking
about my mom like that.
Oh, my bad. I'll talk
about your daddy then.
Wait, do you even
know your daddy?
-Ooh!
-Look at him.
Hey! Hey, y'all,
he about to cry.
-[laughing]
-Man, get out of here!
-[cross talk]
-Wh-- what's up?
-Oh, oh,
you ready to square up...
-[Corey] Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo,
-yo, yo, chill.
Chill, chill, man, chill.
-...huh? What?
-[Ray] What?
-Why don't y'all be easy?
Look, hey, Corey,
you better get your boy
before he get two in him.
You know what time it is
-around here.
-Y'all head up.
-I'll catch up with y'all later.
-[man] Beat it.
-Yeah, y'all get up out of here.
-Check it to him.
-[laughs]
-[Corey] What's up with you,
my man?
[inaudible]
[door creaks]
[Gege]
Yep.
[clattering]
Let me call you back.
Ma, I need to ask you something.
Why did Dad leave?
Is this something that you did?
[scoffs]
Look, sometimes
people just don't--
they just don't get along.
[melancholic music]
How do you know
that he's even my real dad?
Why would you even ask me
something like that?
'Cause people be saying stuff!
-Ma, are you a hoe?
-What?
[slap]
[sniffles] Listen... [sobs]
...if you believe everything
that you hear in this life,
you will be a fool forever.
How come I don't know him then?
[click tongue, softly] Oh, Son.
Come here.
[sobbing] I'm so sorry.
["You've Already Won"
by Beth Griffith-Manley]
[sharp scratching]
There are times in your life
That seems
not worth the fight
You wanna give in
You don't care if you win
But something
deep down inside
Keeps pushing you high
And you make up your mind
To give it
just one more time
You've come too far
to turn back
Don't let your passion relax
Let it grow
-So the world will know...
-Wow.
That girl can really skate.
-Wow.
-Yeah, she can.
Uh-huh.
Uh-huh.
You know, I don't mean to be
all in your business
and what have you,
but you, yo-- you know
that girl like you, right?
[Robert]
You think so?
[chuckles] Well, to me,
you know, you all right
looking from the eye brows up.
[laughing] Who am I?
Look, I don't know
if you noticed this, but--
I mean, she's--
She's white?
Oh! Mm.
So you, you like the dark meat
over the white meat, huh?
You know, when it comes
to chicken, it, it,
-it all tastes the same to me.
-Man, this ain't
about no chicken!
-[Mr. Little chuckles]
-This is--
this is about
two different people...
...from two different worlds.
Anyway, what makes you think
she'd wanna be
with an ex-con like me?
'Cause you got potential, boy.
You can't even spell potential.
P-O-T...
...tential. Don't t--
Shut up, dummy!
...you're a winner
a strong survivor
Keep going on
You've already won
You've already won
-[baby crying]
-[indistinct chatter]
[melancholic music]
[children shouting
and indistinctly speaking]
You see all your sisters' kids?
We don't need
no more kids in this house.
You know what to do.
[sobs]
[sobbing]
-[sharp scratching]
-[clacking]
[indistinct chatter]
[Robert]
Hey!
Has anybody seen Corey?
-[indistinct chatter]
-[laughter]
-You know what I'm saying?
-[Robert] Yo,
I'm looking for Corey.
What?
[birds chirping]
-Yo, who you, bro?
-[indistinct mumbling]
Where's Corey?
Oh, you must not have heard me.
I said, who is you?
I'm Coach Buck.
-Down at the hockey rink.
-[Ray] Hockey rink?
What?
Oh, so you the one
filling my nephew's head up
with that garbage.
You know, he could be
out here making money
instead of wasting his time
playing damn hockey.
Why the hell you teaching him
that white man's game anyway?
Because he's good at it.
You should come check him out.
I see you met my uncle Ray.
He takes care of you?
You mean, do I live with him?
Yeah.
[sighs]
Um, my mom is--
my mom is in jail and...
...my father, um,
well, I'm not sure where he is.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Yeah. But, hey, that's my life.
Do you like playing hockey?
-Do I like it?
-Yeah.
Mm, yeah, I guess.
I see potential in you,
Corey, I do.
But I hate to see you
throw it all away
because you're
running the streets
with your uncle,
risking your life.
[sighs] Listen, everything
I got is because of him.
So, what am I supposed to do?
Where am I supposed to go?
[scoffs] Exactly.
[suspenseful music]
-[music increases]
-[crowd cheering]
[player 1]
Keep it low! Keep it low!
-[crowd cheering]
-[horn blaring]
Good job!
[thudding]
You got it, you got it!
[Percy mumbling]
...excuse me, excuse me, b--
[groaning]
[clears throat, sniffs]
I see the way
you're looking at him.
[tense music]
What do you mean?
And I'm sorry, who are you?
Percy Maddox.
I'm the eyes of the law.
Ah.
Officer Maddox. That's right.
-[chuckles] Mm-hmm.
-Oh, so he told you about me?
-[chuckles]
-Yeah!
So I'm sure you know
that he's a great guy
and he's also
really good at hockey.
-[laughing]
-So he's got a lot of potential.
[Percy]
Is that what you see?
Don't you know
what happens with ex-cons?
Oh, I'm sorry. What,
what do they call them?
-Um--
-"Returning citizens."
Returning citizen.
-Yeah.
-Man, give me a break.
Citizens pay taxes.
That fool there
can't pay attention.
But anyway... [sniffs]
...ex-cons,
especially when they're Black,
within six months, he'll be
right back in the joint.
-Now, you let him
mess with a white chick...
-Hmm.
...might be next week.
[softly laughs] Let me
give you some advice, Becky.
-Um--
-It's Olivia.
If you're looking for a man,
you might as well look elsewhere
because that right there,
that ain't nothing
but a boy with a bad temper.
[upbeat inspirational music]
[sharp scratching]
[crowd cheering and whistling]
-[scoreboard buzzing]
-[indistinct shouting]
[doctor]
Ms. Taylor.
[indistinct chatter on PA]
[sharply exhales]
I'm so sorry,
but there's nothing else
we can do.
[melancholic music]
[Robert]
My grandmother was diagnosed
with stage four cancer.
-[wind blowing]
-[leaves rustling]
[birds chirping]
She was the only person
left in my life.
Now she's gone.
[deeply exhales]
[shakily breathing]
[engines rumbling]
Hey, Buck. How you doing, man?
You know, I stared
at that cross...
...many a days,
saying, "Where are you, Jesus?"
You know,
that cross... says a lot.
What did it say
about my grandmother?
I keep losing people.
I know you do, Buck,
and I wish I had the answers.
[light inspirational music]
But I do know this one thing,
that He sacrificed
His only son on that cross
for all of us,
because He loves us so much.
And when you
really open your eyes,
you can see Him involved
in so many ways.
But you gotta trust Him, Buck.
[gentle music]
-[sharp scratching]
-[clacking]
[indistinct shouting]
[echoing]
Don't be afraid. Just believe.
-[whistle blows]
-Number five,
let's get in there!
-[hip-hop music]
-[inaudible chatter]
[player 1]
Get him.
Get him, get him!
Look out. Whoo!
[groans]
Whoo!
[indistinct chatter]
[laughs]
-[player 1] Whoa! Dang.
-[player 2] Whoo!
Looks pretty good.
[birds chirping]
Let's go, let's go!
Good job, fellas. Good job.
[indistinct shouting]
Motor City Rhythm, huh?
Look like that little white girl
wanna get some rhythm, bro.
-What'd you need, Percy?
-[Percy] I don't need
nothing, man.
Honestly, I just came by
to offer my condolences
regarding your grandma.
For real, man.
Lady must have been
a real saint.
Had to be to put up
with your a*s.
-Wha--
-[laughing] Ah, there he is!
There's the Buck
I've been waiting to see.
Come on, bro.
So these kids
can watch me whup your a*s
and take you back to prison.
[chuckles]
That's what I thought.
[sniffs]
[upbeat hip-hop music]
[Robert]
You got this, man, come on!
-Hey, you got it.
-Whoa--
-You got it.
-[horn blaring]
Nice shot, man. Don't sho--
[cheering and laughing]
You got it, keep pushing!
[player 1]
Man, you can't mess
with that boy.
-[indistinct chatter]
-[player 2] Hey, man,
I'm open, I'm open!
-The Rhythm, baby.
-[player 1] Yeah.
-[horn blaring]
-[cheering]
[groaning]
They don't got the rhythm!
[horn blaring]
[groans]
[whistle blows]
-[cheering]
-[indistinctly shouting]
-[whistle blowing]
-[cheering continues]
-[boy] Come on, Corey!
-[Mike] ...watch him,
watch him.
[indistinct shouting]
Come on, guys, you got it,
you got it, you got it!
-[crowd cheering]
-[groaning]
[scoreboard buzzing]
-Let's go!
-[Robert] Yeah, yeah, yeah!
Hey, look, listen,
listen, listen.
Ooh, we come a long way.
We come a long way.
And you see now
that with the rhythm
and focus...
...we can beat anybody. Anybody!
Now, the championship
is next week
and we gotta turn it up a notch.
'Cause if we do, then you know
we'll be taking home
that trophy next week!
[all cheering]
Yeah!
-[Robert] Yeah! The Rhythm!
-The Rhythm!
[all chanting]
The Rhythm! The Rhythm!
The Rhythm! The Rhythm!
-The Rhythm! The Rhythm...
-Let's go! Let's go!
Let's go! Let's go!
[cheering and laughing]
[light melancholic music]
[line ringing]
[beeping]
[line ringing]
[girl]
Hello?
Uh, hello.
-Who you talking to, kiddo?
-I don't know.
-They're not saying anything.
-Let me see.
Mike's Body Shop.
Hello?
[loud thud]
[birds chirping]
[engines distantly rumbling]
[siren distantly wailing]
So, this what you wanna do
with your life?
Mm, Coach, come on, man!
Hockey just ain't
for me no more, okay?
You got me out here
chasing something that's never
gonna amount to anything.
So what does selling drugs
gonna amount to?
What do you mean? I gotta do
what I gotta do, okay?
-Just go, please. Leave...
-Corey, listen to me--
...before
my uncle Ray comes, please.
What's good, fam? What you need?
I'm glad you're here because
I need to talk to somebody
about him missing practices.
Nah, my nephew ain't playing
that white man's game no more.
-It's the last time
I'mma tell you.
-Why don't you let him
speak for himself?
Corey, what do you wanna do?
Let him speak for himself!
I said he's done.
[tense music]
[keys clinking]
[softly] What is this?
[indistinctly mumbling]
[Robert]
Hey, hey, what's going on?
Look!
How can they do this to us?
They're gonna tear down
the building.
What?
-You gotta be kidding me.
-Oh, my God.
-[Olivia] Yeah.
-What are we gonna do
-about the championship game?
-I don't know.
We're gonna have to forfeit.
No, we can't forfeit.
We c-- we gotta do something!
[sighs] There's gotta be
something we can do.
What can we do?
I don't know.
[crowd chanting]
Save our center!
-Save our center!
-What's going on here?
What are these people
doing out here?
I don't know,
but let's find out.
[chanting continues]
Save our center!
Save our center!
Save our center!
[reporter]
We are here live
in front of Butzel
Recreation Center in Detroit,
which is scheduled
for demolition
due to lack of funds to support
the hockey program.
-[chanting continues]
Save our center!
-The city of Detroit indicates
that it's due to lack of use,
but what they don't know is,
yes, Black neighborhood kids
do play hockey here.
-Save our center!
-[Gege] Excuse me.
-Save our center!
-[Gege softly] Excuse me.
Save our center!
What's going on?
They got a padlock on the door.
They're tearing down
the building.
-What?
-Yeah, a few weeks ago,
a Mr. Palmer from the city
of Detroit visited
and said he wants
to turn the center into a mall.
He doesn't think that it's doing
any good for the community
or that people
actually play hockey here.
I-- it's unbelievable!
-Wait, did you just say
Mr. Palmer?
-[Olivia] Yeah.
-You know him?
-[crowd] Save our center!
As a matter of fact, I do.
-[crowd] Save our center!
-Say no more. Excuse me, Coach.
[crowd]
Save our center!
Save our center!
[engines rumbling]
[Palmer]
Hm? Well, I'm going there.
Um, let me call you back.
I see you're still taking care
of your business well.
[Palmer]
Well, what are you doing here?
I thought that
maybe we could, um,
talk a little business.
Oh, yeah.
-Gege, it has been a while.
-Mm.
-Mm! Mm.
-[Palmer] What'd
you have in mind?
-This is what I had in mind.
-[Palmer softly] Oh, yeah. Yeah.
If you don't stop that deal
with the Butzel Recreation
from shutting down,
I'm gonna tell your wife
all about us.
Oh, and I'll quickly call
the newspaper
and let them know
about all the crooked deals
that I know that you've done
in the past.
[tense music]
[chuckles] Didn't think
I was paying attention, did you?
[grunts] All those late nights
at the hotel.
I knew what you were doing.
You wouldn't do that to me.
Try me.
[melancholic music]
[birds chirping]
[light inspirational music]
[chain clinking]
[keyboard clacking]
-Hey.
-Hey.
I made the team.
[Olivia]
Y-- you made the team?
-I made the team.
-You made the team!
-I made the team.
-Oh, my gosh!
Buck, that's amazing!
Oh, you've worked
so hard for this!
-This is, this is huge.
-I know. It's-- [sighs]
-It's just--
-What?
I gotta leave tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
-Tomorrow's
the championship game.
-I know.
-Um...
-Olivia, what are we gonna do
-about the boys?
-No, you-- you gotta go.
I'm happy for you!
[Mr. Little]
Excuse me, Ms. Olivia.
I changed the lightbulb
down the hallway,
so we should be good to go.
Guess what?
Robert made the team! [chuckles]
-What?
-[Olivia laughs]
Man, look at you, boy!
I knew you had it in you
all the time, I knew it!
Wow! I am standing
next to a pro hockey player.
W-- well, Mr. Little,
the only thing is,
I have to leave tomorrow.
I'm g-- I'm gonna miss
the championship game.
I mean, I don't know
what to do about the boys.
[Mr. Little]
Hey, listen, listen,
this is your opportunity.
This don't come around
all the time.
They'll understand.
But, man, this is your chance
to make it to the pros.
I know, I know,
I know, but I feel
like the boys need me.
Hey, follow your passion.
Follow what's
inside of here, Son.
What's inside of your heart?
[hip-hop music playing]
[ominous music]
-Corey.
-Yeah, Unc?
Need you to go to the store
and get me some squares, man.
-Don't you need me to stay here?
-Corey, go do
what I asked you to do.
Just go to the store.
I got you, Unc.
-[g*nshots]
-[woman screaming]
-[engine starts]
-[tires screeching]
-[creaking]
-[grunting]
-[cell phone buzzing]
-[clinking]
[grunting] Oh, boy.
Hello?
Hey, um...
...I know it's been a while.
Look, I just need you
to listen to me for a minute.
Listen to you?
I can't believe
you even got the nerve
to even call me right now
after what you did.
After what I did?
You left me with nothing!
Look, you gave me no choice
but to go out there
and do what I had to do
to survive!
Why would I give you anything
if you wouldn't let me
see my son?
You didn't deserve to see him!
You walked out on us!
You left us!
You took that choice
from me, remember?
[sharply exhales, whispers] No.
[in normal voice]
Look, we cannot
keep going back and forth
about what you did
and about what I did.
It's about our son.
And he needs you now
more than ever.
So look, Mike is playing
in the championship
hockey game tomorrow.
Okay, and I think
that you should be there.
That would mean a lot to him.
[whirring]
[melancholic music]
[birds chirping]
All right, here's your room.
-[sighs]
-[engine rumbling]
[man]
How are you doing, sir?
I'll take that for you.
Thank you, sir.
Over here, sir.
[gentle music]
[Cecil echoing]
You got all the choices
in the world.
That's what life's about.
Making the right choices.
[all chanting]
The Rhythm! The Rhythm!
The Rhythm! The Rhythm!
The Rhythm! The Rhythm!
The Rhythm! The Rhythm!
-The Rhythm!
The Rhythm! The Rhythm!
-[all cheering and laughing]
[indistinct chatter]
All right, guys,
let's settle down.
Sit, sit down, come on.
You guys are so special, okay?
You've worked
really hard this season
and I am so proud of you.
I mean, we finally made it
-into the championship game!
-[all cheering]
And... we're not gonna
let anything stop us now!
[indistinct chatter]
So... this may come
as a disappointment
to some of you,
but... Coach Buck is not gonna
be here for the game.
-Whoa, whoa, whoa, excuse me?
-What?
-[cross talk]
-What are we gonna do then?
[Mike]
What do you mean--
[cross talk continues]
Not here at all?
[indistinct chatter]
Okay, hey, hey, come on!
Listen, look,
he tried out for a pro team
and he got the call yesterday
that he made it.
You guys know how much
he wanted to be here
for you fellas. You know that.
What happened to that,
that whole family thing?
W-- we are one?
Man, I'm nervous.
My stomach hurts.
So, how are we gonna know
what to do?
You guys gotta learn
how to trust each other.
And remember everything
that Coach Buck taught you!
You guys are The Rhythm!
Now let's go out here
and show them
what we're working with.
[crowd clapping and cheering]
[sharp scratching]
[man 1]
We're witnessing history.
The Rhythm,
an all-Black hockey team,
has made it to the championship
and no one ever thought
they would make it this far.
True, but The Warriors are
three-time defending champions.
[man 1] So it looks like
The Rhythm is missing one
of their players, Corey Davis.
[man 2]
And The Rhythm is missing
their head coach,
who left this team
to go to the pros!
This could mean
big trouble for The Rhythm.
Let's go! Let's go!
[crowd cheering]
[upbeat music]
-[player 1]
I'm out here by myself!
-[player 2] Hey,
what are you doing? You're
messing up. Let's get it.
[indistinct shouting]
[Flash]
I can't keep up,
they're too fast!
[Jojo] Aw, man, come on,
you can't let 'em
get behind you like that!
[indistinct shouting]
[whistle blows]
[whistle blows]
-[player 1] Hey, run this way!
-[player 2] What are
we doing out here?
[Jojo]
You're messing up bad, bro.
[man 1]
This is high pressure
right here.
[horn blaring]
This team is bigger,
faster, stronger.
It's gonna take
a miracle for The Rhythm
to pull off a win tonight.
But let's not count out
The Rhythm just yet.
-[clattering]
-[indistinct mumbling]
[cross talk]
[Mike]
Y'all keep letting 'em
get past y'all, and y'all--
All right.
Okay, guys, listen up.
I know you're all discouraged,
but the game is not over yet.
We have to play tougher defense.
But they're skating
way faster than us.
Who are we fooling?
We can't win this game.
You know what?
Winning isn't everything.
But the will to win
is everything.
[all cheering]
[cross talk]
What happened?
What are you doing here?
Life is about making choices.
I wanted to make
the right one for my boys.
-[cross talk]
-[Robert] All right,
guys, okay, okay, look.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, focus.
All right, listen to me.
I'mma tell y'all a story, okay?
A long time ago,
there were a group of players
that could skate faster
than anybody has ever seen.
They were unstoppable...
...but no one noticed.
[light inspirational music]
Once they got a chance
to prove themselves,
they won the championship.
And you know what?
They looked just like you.
They had the same thing
that you guys have.
They had something
that other teams didn't.
They had the rhythm.
Dig deep and grab it.
Use it!
Use the most powerful weapon
that you guys have
out there on the ice.
And that's the rhythm. Okay,
say it with me, the rhythm!
[all chanting]
The rhythm! The rhythm!
The rhythm! The rhythm!
The rhythm! The rhythm!
The rhythm! The rhythm!
The rhythm! The rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-Now let's go out here
and win this game!
-Let's go, let's do it,
let's do it!
-[Olivia] All right!
-[cheering
and indistinctly speaking]
-[laughs]
All right.
[gentle music]
Coach.
-Corey.
-What's going on, man?
How you doing?
Uh...
...I'm scared, Coach.
Hey... Corey, look at me.
We got you.
-Okay?
-[whispers] Okay.
You think I'll still be able
to play on the team?
Of course.
[crowd cheering and chanting]
The rhythm! The rhythm!
The rhythm! The rhythm!
So, we're starting
the third period,
and it looks like The Rhythm,
-they're getting back on the ice
with a bit more energy.
-Wait a minute. Wait a minute,
-wait! Is that Corey Davis,
the leading scorer?
-It is!
What? Now,
that is a development!
A huge development.
That can make
-all the difference
in this game.
-Oh! Oh, yeah!
[man 1]
This Detroit team
only has eight players.
-How can they compete?
-[man 2] Wait a minute.
It looks like Coach Buck
has returned!
-I think we have ourselves
a hockey game now.
-[horn blaring]
["Dawg" by Gee Smiff & INNOCENT]
Corey, we need you.
I got that rhythm in me...
[man 1]
Here we go.
-[crowd cheering]
-...got the crowd going...
[Corey]
You're too slow, homeboy!
You can't catch me!
-[loud clacking]
-[crowd cheering]
[horn blaring]
-Good shot! Good shot!
-[man 1] Look at that shot
by Corey Davis. It looks like
we've got ourselves
-a hockey game.
-[man 2] I think we do!
-[thudding]
-He's got you, boy.
Did you see that move
by The Rhythm?
That was something else.
-[crowd cheering and whistling]
-[horn blaring]
Keep it up,
we got it, we got it!
Don't you get it confused
I'mma win, win again
Yeah, that's all that I do
Man, ain't none of them pucks
getting past me, man.
[man 1]
Where did that come from?
I got that rhythm in me
-[groans]
-Stay down!
-[crowd cheering]
-[horn blaring]
[indistinct shouting
and cheering]
[man 2]
This is incredible!
[man 1]
This is absolutely amazing.
I got that rhythm in me
-Yes! Yes!
-[horn blaring]
[cheering and laughing]
-[man 1] What a game!
-[man 2] I, I can't believe it!
[laughing] This is so good!
All right, guys, get in here.
[light tense music]
Are you all gonna let
these Black guys beat you?
-[both] No.
-Steve, Robbie,
I need you
to take out number 31.
I don't care how you do it,
just do it.
Now get back out there.
-Yes, Coach.
-Yes, Coach.
Come on. Pick it up. Pick it up.
I got it, I got it!
Corey, come on. Get to him, man.
Let's get 'em. Let's get 'em.
-[grunts]
-[groans]
[boy]
Good hit, Johnny.
You're done, boy!
[crowd booing]
-Corey!
-Hey, hey, hey, stay right here.
Stay right here!
-[grunting]
-Get off--
-Hey! Corey, Corey, Corey!
-[Corey shouting]
Corey, it's not worth it.
Listen to me. It's not worth it.
[inspirational music]
-Let's go. Let's go.
-Come on, Corey. Let's go.
Let's go. Let's go.
-You're okay.
You're okay, let's g--
-[man 1] So we're down
to the final seconds
of the third period.
The Rhythm is up four to three.
But can they hold on
to this lead?
[man 2]
Wait, it looks like it's
all in the hands of the goalie.
-Ain't nobody bad like me.
Ain't nobody bad like me.
-[indistinct chatter]
Jojo, block it!
-Ain't nobody bad like me.
-[Mike] Jojo, come on!
-[loud clack]
-[crowd cheering]
-[Jojo] We did it! We did it!
-[scoreboard buzzing]
Ain't nobody bad like me!
Yes! Yes, we did it. Yes!
[man 1]
Jojo has saved the game!
The Rythm wins the championship!
Can you believe that?
-I can't believe it.
-I can't believe it!
[crowd cheering and clapping]
[light inspirational music]
[cheering
and indistinctly speaking]
[laughing] Yeah!
[girl shouting]
The Rhythm!
[cross talk]
We couldn't have won this game
without you, Corey.
[Corey]
Hey, man, I appreciate that.
Thank you for everything,
Coach. Really.
[man]
Hey, Mike.
You played a good game.
I know I haven't been around.
And I'm sorry.
Maybe you can give me
another chance.
This is your little sister.
-Tandy, this is Mike.
It's your big brother.
-[mouthing]
-Buck! [laughing] Oh, my God!
-[Robert laughs]
-That was amazing. I mean--
Oh, my gosh! We won.
-No.
-[Robert] We won. Um--
-So, next season,
we got to start planning.
-I'm thinking we need to get
new jerseys. Okay, and new gear.
-Okay.
-Uh-huh. Olivia.
-I have to redo the whole
ice rink. I mean, we-- [laughs]
-Yeah?
-We just won a championship.
-We won the championship.
-We just won a championship.
-We won the championship!
We did it!
-We did it.
-[Jojo] Coach! We did it.
-[laughter]
-Yeah, man, we did it! Wow!
-[laughing] Yeah!
Wow, Jojo! Wow!
Your timing is-- Man!
Hey, who's bad?
-Ain't nobody bad like me, man.
-[laughing] Ain't
nobody bad like you.
-We won.
-[yells] I know,
you won, you won!
-You won! I'm
so proud of you! Oh!
-I'm so happy.
-I'm so happy.
-[laughing]
Congratulations, Buck.
You've turned these boys
into hockey players.
This is something
they're never gonna forget.
[gentle inspirational music]
-[all cheering]
-Yeah!
[indistinct shouting]
Guys, let me talk
to y'all for a second.
We won.
But we didn't just win.
We won victories
in our own lives too.
We learned
how to get over the fear...
...of not being good enough.
We learned that
when you make mistakes or fall,
get right back up
and you try again.
Like I said before,
the will to win is everything.
Everything!
So no matter
if you're old or young,
you've still got
your whole life ahead of you.
We can't change a thing
about the past,
but we can change
our whole future.
So now's the time.
You used the rhythm
to win on the ice.
Now is time to use the rhythm...
...to win in our own lives.
So I need y'all
to say it with me...
...one last time.
-The rhythm.
-[all] The rhythm.
-The rhythm. The rhythm.
-[all] The rhythm. The rhythm.
-The rhythm! The rhythm!
-[all] The rhythm! The rhythm!
-The rhythm!
-[all] The rhythm!
[all cheering]
[loud clicks]
["Before You Arrive"
by Jonathan Singletary]
Hey, Flash!
You missed a spot.
-Cuz me and ya mama
we ain't perfect
-Oh, I think she's kicking.
-We ain't even scratched
the surface
-[laugh]
-There's still so much we
haven't learned yet
-Yeah, I know! [laughing]
-But here we are...
-[Robert] So, yes, I learned
some valuable lessons in life.
That there's something greater
living inside of all of us,
with the power to help us
overcome every obstacle,
to help us
to never give up or give in,
and that there is always victory
in the future for everyone.
-All you have to do...
-[announcer]
And introducing Number 5.
-...is believe.
-[announcer] Buck Taylor!
-[sharp scratching]
-[crowd cheering]
-Feel the love
-Ooh, ooh, ooh
-I hope you feel the love
-Ooh
[Robert]
All right, so look...
[sniffs and sighs]
...let me tell you something.
I wanna tell you a story
about your great-grandfather.
[birds chirping]
He's one of the greatest
hockey players
to ever play the game.
-Even better than me?
-[laughing]
Well, I don't know about
that yet, but... we'll see.
I think you'll make him proud.
-Okay.
-All right.
You're gonna learn
a lot about him...
-...over the next
few years, okay?
-Okay.
Here you go.
-Let me see that slap shot,
all right?
-Yeah.
-Come on, Buck, let me see
the slap shot! [laughs]
-Yeah!
-[chuckles] Oh! [laughs]
-Come on, man!
You got it! You got it!
-Go further back!
-Go, Buck.
There you go,
right there. Yep, yep.
Go ahead, man. Go ahead!
-Give us your best shot.
-[chuckling]
Give us your best shot!
-Whoa![laughing]
-Whoo! Yeah!
-Here we are at your service
-[Robert] Keep going,
keep going, keep going!
And this cold world
might break your heart, child
But you got a love
to last a lifetime
Before you arrive
and open your eyes
-Ooh, ooh, ooh
-I hope you feel the love
-Ooh, ooh
-Feel the love
-Ooh, ooh
I hope you feel the love
Ooh, ooh
-Feel the love
-Ooh, ooh, ooh
-I hope you feel the love
-Hope you feel love
-Feel the love
-Hope you feel love
-I hope you feel the love
-Hope you feel love
-Feel the love
-Ooh, ooh
-I hope you feel the love
-So, before you arrive
And open your eyes
-Ooh, ooh, ooh
-I hope you feel the love
["My Refuge" by Isaac Murray]
[vocalizing]
Yeah
[vocalizing]
You're my refuge, oh, oh
I know You're my refuge
I know You're my strength
I know You're my anchor
From beginning to the end
I know You're my fortress
My cornerstone
You're my refuge, oh, oh
I know You're my refuge
I know You're my strength
I know You're my anchor
From beginning to the end
I know You're my fortress
My cornerstone
You're my refuge, oh, oh
You're my refuge, oh, oh
[music fading]
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