Hoop Dreams is a 1994 documentary by director Steve James. The film follows William Gates and Arthur Agee, two African-American teenage boys who are aspiring NBA players. We are introduced to them when they are just 14 years old and are part of their entire high schooling life as the documentary concludes when the two boys leave for college. As someone who has absolutely no interest in sports, I was surprised at this documentary’s ability to keep me so intrigued for it’s long 170 minute running time. Although the title suggests this film will be entirely focused on basketball, which to an extent it is, what ultimately stood out to me were the themes of family, wealth and the American dream. Both Gates and Agee live in lower socio economic neighbourhoods in Chicago and each teen experiences different struggles including financial issues, education, drug use, teenage pregnancy and difficult family relationships. By focusing on not just the boys but also the world that surrounds them, I think Hoop Dreams was so successful because it opened itself up to a wider viewing base than just sports fans. This film is further successful due to the boys and their families being filmed over the course of 4 years. We can see and feel the trust that developed between the social actors and Steve James and become emotionally attached to Gates and Agee as we start to want them to succeed nearly as much as they themselves do.