Blue Chips (1994)

37% of critics liked it
(27 reviews)
49% of users liked it
(7,344 ratings)

Blue Chips examines greed, cheating, and "winning at all costs" in the world of college basketball. Nick Nolte plays the stressed-out coach on the verge of his first losing season, who hits the road in search of new players not already signed by a bigger school. He finds three prospects: a precision… More Blue Chips examines greed, cheating, and "winning at all costs" in the world of college basketball. Nick Nolte plays the stressed-out coach on the verge of his first losing season, who hits the road in search of new players not already signed by a bigger school. He finds three prospects: a precision Chicago shooter (Anfernee Hardaway), a giant farmboy (Matt Nover), and a talented troublemaker (Shaquille O'Neal). All three, wise to the ways of college basketball recruitment, make excessive financial and lifestyle demands before they can be persuaded to come to the school; the coach, already haunted by accusations of underhanded dealings, doesn't want to dig himself a deeper hole but has no choice. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: William Friedkin
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Feb 18, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Mar 29, 2005
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy, Variety
A deafness-inducing but otherwise ho-hum would-be expose of shady recruiting practices by college basketball programs.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Not even an unsentimental basketball fan like director William Friedkin can wash away all the corn syrup.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
If Mr. Friedkin didn't have to work so strenuously framing two-shots of Mr. Nolte with this seven-foot athlete, it might be hard to remember that Mr. O'Neal has a day job.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
The filmmakers don't get the ball into the Shaq-man's hands enough -- both literally and figuratively -- to make this personable giant's screen debut memorable.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
If it wasn't for some exciting roundball action, Shaquille O'Neal's hulking-dunking presence and a wonderfully guttural performance from coach Nick Nolte, you'd slither off the bench asleep.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
A rare example of an entry into this genre that attempts to be honest and unique.
, Film4
Watching various hoop stars and legends trying to act is cringeworthy, O'Neal particularly bad, but Friedkin's movie, written by sports film specialist Shelton has a lot of passion.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A good concept fails to become a good movie in this predictable tale of corruption in college basketball.
, Time Out
This hard-hitting college basketball drama marks a notable return to form for William Friedkin.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
[An] effective, if overlong basketball drama.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jason O

"Blue Chips" is one of my favorite basketball movies. I've seen it a few times and it still doesn't get old. A coach (Nick Nolte) that has always had a successful career as coach of Western University is facing the threat of his first ever losing season. He has to… More
"Blue Chips" is one of my favorite basketball movies. I've seen it a few times and it still doesn't get old. A coach (Nick Nolte) that has always had a successful career as coach of Western University is facing the threat of his first ever losing season. He has to find a way to get his team back on a winning streak, even if it means finding new and better players. Nick Nolte does a spectacular job as the coach, but that's not the only reason that "Blue Chips" is such a realistic and great basketball movie. If you're familiar with NBA basketball, you'll see a lot of players that you know from today's game such as Penny Hardaway and Shaq. You'll also see other basketball legends such as Larry Bird and Bob Cousy. When it's gametime, it's as realistic as a movie can get. It has powerful coaching, spectacular defensive and offensive movies, the roaring crowd, and even the press conference after the game. "Blue Chips" has more drama in it than just about any basketball movie ever made. If you'd like to see a realistic basketball movie, I recommend getting "Blue Chips." It won't let you down. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. It's definitely one of the better basketball movies, and easily Shaq's best, although it doesn't really feature him.
Tim S

Bob Cousy shooting free throws is reason enough for three stars. The other one is for Nick Nolte and Shaq.
Dean M

I dislike Nick Nolte's character in this basketball game movie because of his face acting and plenty of coarse languages are terrible.
Leigh R

Not too bad.
Leo L

Great!

Cast

            Nick Nolte as Pete Bell

            Mary McDonnell as Jenny

            J.T. Walsh as Happy

            Ed O'Neill as Ed

            Alfre Woodard as Lavada McRae

            Bob Cousy as Vic

            Louis Gossett Jr as Father Dawkins

            Shaquille O'Neal as Neon

            Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway as Butch

            Matt Nover as Ricky

            Cylk Cozart as Slick

            Anthony C. Hall as Tony

            Kevin Benton as Jack

            Bill Cross as Freddie

            Marques Johnson as Mel

            Robert Wuhl as Marty

            Jim Beaver as Ricky's Father

            Larry Bird
            
            Sam Crawford as The Texas Western Team

            Thomas Hill as The Coast Team

            Allan Malamud as Reporter

            Nigel Miguel as Dolphin

            Jerry Tarkanian as Himself

            Dick Vitale as Himself

            Bobby Knight as Himself

            Tony Gonzalez as Dolphin Mascot

            Louis Di Giaimo
            
            Michael Johnson as Cash Man

            Michael Butler as Dolphin

            DaMarques Johnson
            
See full cast

Blue Chips (1994)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Jason O

Tim S

Dean M

Leigh R

Leo L

Cast

Trailers & Clips