Group Dynamics: Cool Runnings

Characters:

Derice- The leader, and determined to win a gold medal.

Sanka- Is just really a follower on the team, but his role evolves throughout the movie.

Junior- Wants to prove to his dad that he's a man, and provides resources for the team.

Yul- Is the tough guy nobody messes around with, he's also the encourager on the team.

Irv- Wants to create the first Olympic bobsled team, he becomes their coach and mentor.

Forming:
During this stage Derice tries to start a bobsled team after taking part in a tragic track event. During the track race Junior accidentally tripped and fell causing Derice and Yul to fall, which didn't qualify them for the Olympics. In order to start this team Derice needs to find a coach so he locates the former 2 time gold medalist Irving and pursues him to coach the first Jamaican bobsled team. At first the start is rocky because all of the members are on the team for different reasons and not everybody is getting along.

Storming:
Conflict starts to brew within the team between Yul and Junior, due to tension still from the track race incident. The team also begins to see some improvement when Irv finally teaches the team the basic fundamentals of bobsledding. We also see cooperation when Junior helps raise money for the teams trip to Calgary. Once the Jamaican team lands in Calgary their looked at as outsiders, feeling unwelcomed.

Norming:
During this stage we see the bobsled team enjoying each others company, goofing off and having fun. All of the guys, excluding Derice, go out to a bar just to have a good time. We also see each member understand their role on the team. For instances, Derice is announced the driver, which is given the most responsibility. You still see a small team within a group between Yul and Junior because their always looking out after each other, closer to on another.

Performing:
During the movie we see this stage before the Jamaican teams last Olympic run. Sanka helps them realize that as long as the team realizes who they are and where they come from that's all that matters. The race is no longer about placing first and winning a gold medal, its all about respect. The team is then presented with new uniforms to represent their country.

Adjourning:
During the Jamaican team's last run, their on record setting pace until a blade on their sled falls off, causing them to wipe out. The team then picks up the sled and walks it across the finish-line, unifying them as team. Although it was a disappointing ending, the team and their country were still proud of their accomplishments.