Heaven Is a Playground

Play trailer

Heaven Is a Playground

R

1991

1h 51m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

2 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

When not at work, a white lawyer, Zach Telander (D.B. Sweeney), likes to leave his affluent surroundings so that he can play basketball with a bunch of inner-city African-American youths. But life beyond the court for these young men is dangerous because of drugs and crime. It's also potentially dangerous when a big-shot sports agent, David Racine (Richard Jordan), comes around to scoop up potential talent. Zach and coach Byron Harper (Michael Warren) try to keep the young men centered.

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

What is strange about Heaven Is a Playground is how this dynamite material is defused -- how the movie meanders and loses its way, drags to a halt when it should be most exciting, and goes through strange shifts in tone and style.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Oct 1, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

This weak basketball film feels like it was made by a production team that only half cared about the final product, and a cast that is pretty hit and miss...but mostly miss. It is inconsistent in tone and themes, and adds too many superfluous characters that add little to the proceedings. Might have had a shot, but it really never lands on it's feet...hell it barely takes off.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

really loved this movie , very good for people who absolutely love basketball. shows the real deal of pro players.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Being a guy that hates sports movies, I actually like this one, maybe it has to do with the fact that I am mark for basketball films like the one with the Harlem Globetrotters' visiting Gilligan's island. This one is slightly entertaining at least in the absurd feats that are performed. However, it also accurately reflects the mind of young black kids and moronic sports stars, who we give so much many and attention to in society. Check out this film if you hate White Men Can't Jump.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I've seen it 114 times... Not the greatest movie but I just like it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

this movie is beast.bo kimble and act but he can jump.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Only true basketball players might know about this one...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Randall Fried

Director

D.B. Sweeney

Zack Telander

Michael Warren

Byron Harper

Richard Jordan

David Racine

Victor Love

Truth Harrison

Janet Julian

Dalton Ellis

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

View more photos

Synopsis

When not at work, a white lawyer, Zach Telander (D.B. Sweeney), likes to leave his affluent surroundings so that he can play basketball with a bunch of inner-city African-American youths. But life beyond the court for these young men is dangerous because of drugs and crime. It's also potentially dangerous when a big-shot sports agent, David Racine (Richard Jordan), comes around to scoop up potential talent. Zach and coach Byron Harper (Michael Warren) try to keep the young men centered.

Director: Randall Fried
Producer: Keith Bank, Billy Higgins
Screenwriter: Randall Fried
Production Co: Aurora Film Corporation, Heaven Corp.
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Aug 10, 2004
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround