“Shooting Stars” Review: A Tribute to Friendship

A Peacock original, “Shooting Stars,” made its recent debut and gave an empowering glimpse into the seeds of brotherhood that were planted in the hearts of childhood friends that bonded them for life and set in motion the iconic rise of one of the legendary players in basketball.

The film, based on the book by LeBron James and Buzz Bissinger, chronicles his early life and friendships with a group of boys coming of age who are bonded by the love of basketball that leads them to become the No. 1 high school team in the country.

Their journey is filled with twists and turns as they blend their sports skills and temperaments into a unique recipe for success led by a father driven to empower them to reach their potential in sports but even more driven to see them become great men.

Shooting Stars gives filmgoers a behind-the-scenes look at the seeds of dedication, persistence and hard work that shape four boys on a path that none of them could have foreseen but each embraced.

Like most friendships, we see them navigate through growing pains in their relationships, but on an escalated level as they do so while also learning to deal with the attention in their quest to win the national championship.

It is painful to watch as insecurities rise between this tightly knit band of brothers as LeBron’s star begins a meteoric rise, but the integrity that his father instilled in him rises higher when he refuses to let his growing notoriety destroy their valued friendship.

At every turn, viewers gain insights into what shaped LeBron James into the player and man he has become today and the ingredients that bonded a group of friends for life on their journey from boyhood to manhood.

This is an empowering film that speaks to the power of pursuing your dreams with purpose and persistence and is a testament to the enduring value of friendship.