Rustin

I rented this movie thinking it was about high school football plus the fact it was mostly (if not all) filmed in Alabama. I was pleasantly surprised - so much in fact, I will probably wind up buying my own copy on DVD. I don't know who Rick Johnson is (or was) and I presume that Ashley is his real-life daughter playing the part of "Lee". I didn't even recognize "Meatloaf" as the Coach until I saw the closing credits and the kid from TVs "Home Improvement", Zachery Ty Bryan, played a spoiled, rich football "star" player. Having lived in Birmingham, I kept looking for locales and familiar faces. Two radio personalities (Rick & Bubba) had small parts as bartenders and Michael Papajohn (makes me think of the pizza chain) played a redneck character named Trent that loved to drink and party with the students, most of whom didn't look old enough to drink. Still, the script is good even though probably unseen by many since it was independently produced.

Rustin is an incredibly touching film and a standout among indie films. Rick Johnson's direction is fluid and graceful as he tells the story of an athlete spinning out of control and the daughter he discovers. There is such compassion in the story -- not something you see a lot in indie films. I loved Ashley Johnson -- she's heartbreakingly real as the daughter and several of the supporting roles are sharply drawn. I look forward to more films by Rick Johnson.

While I will say that some of the stereotypes are out of whack i.e no a/c in the church, I must argue with the comment "HORRIBLE" posted earlier in this thread regarding the worshipping of the football coach. Sir/Ma'am, you obviously do not live in the state of Alabama, particularly near the Birmingham/Hoover metro. If you did, you would definitely know that Rush Propst, Hoover High School's coach is almost equal to God in many people's eyes and he is often viewed as infallible to Hoover people. Therefore, in many controversial cases regarding HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL recruitment and the magical corrections of grades to make players eligible to play in games, he has miraculously come through without a scratch. Rustin VERY accurately describes the obsession/worship of football, both high school and college, in this state and the ability for anyone connected with certain football programs to get off of criminal charges. Overall I thought that this was a very enjoyable movie with a very good vision of football in Alabama, and that Michael Papajohn, Rick Johnson, Meatloaf, Zach, and others did a great job in accurately portraying Alabamians, albeit in a somewhat cynical view

I just got the DVD and I was blown away by the cast of Rustin. I saw some familiar places in the movie (since it was filmed in my hometown) and I believe even though it was over 100 degrees during filming in the dead of summer, everyone seemed to have fun being a part of it. Our town of 20,000 appreciates the work Rick Johnson, Meat Loaf, Ashley Johnson, and my favorite two fat buddies Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey, (aka Rick and Bubba) put into the film. Thank you Rick Johnson for putting high school football into perspective without going overboard like "Varsity Blues" did. I wholeheartedly suggest going out and buying this film for yourself.

Rustin the movie touched my heart in many different ways..Rick Johnson is charming as an actor ...he commands the screen with grace.I was most impressed with his direction of the film..Rick wields the camera like a maestro conducts an orchestra.In a day where most indie films are dark and edgy for no reason at all..taking hope away from people..I am thankful for Rick Johnson and the cast and crew of Rustin..for bringing real life issues with hope..Thank you Rick..Mary