Wildcats (film)

Wildcats is a 1986 American sports comedy film directed by Michael Ritchie starring Goldie Hawn, James Keach and Swoosie Kurtz, and is also the film debut of Wesley Snipes, Kevin Reeder and Woody Harrelson.

Plot
Molly McGrath is the daughter of a famed football coach who is dying to head her own team. When her wish is finally granted, Molly leaves her job coaching girls' track at an affluent high school (Prescott High School) to take over a football team at an inner-city Chicago 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.

Cast

 * Goldie Hawn as Molly McGrath
 * Swoosie Kurtz as Verna McGrath
 * Robyn Lively as Alice Needham
 * Brandy Gold as Marian Needham
 * James Keach as Frank Needham
 * Jan Hooks as Stephanie Needham
 * Bruce McGill as Dan Darwell
 * Nipsey Russell as Ben Edwards
 * Mykelti Williamson as Levander "Bird" Williams
 * LL Cool J as Rapper
 * Woody Harrelson as Krushinski
 * Wesley Snipes as Trumaine
 * Tab Thacker as Phillip Finch
 * Nick Corri as Cerulo
 * Willie J. Walton as Marvel
 * Rodney Hill as Peanut
 * M. Emmet Walsh as Walt Coes
 * George Wyner as Principal Walker
 * Ann Doran as Mrs. Chatham
 * Gloria Stuart as Mrs. Connoly

Filming
The film used Lane Technical College Prep High School football stadium for some of their shots.

Reception
The film was critically panned by critics and the audience alike. In 2014, the movie was mentioned by Keli Goff in The Daily Beast in an article concerning white savior narratives in film.

Box office
The film debuted at No. 4.