Review/Recap
The Way Back (2020)
Directed by: Gavin O’Connor
Starring: Ben Affleck as Jack Cunningham
This sports-drama really hit the feels the way Coach Carter did to me back when I first watched it. Although the “basketball” part of the film sometimes takes a back sit for the drama context to be portrayed. No problem with the film at all, but it certainly could’ve utilized the basketball parts in correlation with the story.
Jack Cunningham is a construction worker, and at the start of the film it already shows he’s drowned with his alcoholism but gives some mystery of his troubles. Soon, he gets an offer to take a coaching job with his High School Alma mater. But he’s hesitant to take it due to he has a lot on his plate. After finding out that he’s separated from his wife. I thought the reason why is mainly because of alcoholism. I thought since then it would be predictable plot-wise. But, later on the film it was revealed that his son had passed. So, it clearly took a very big toll on Him.
But, then I asked myself… why did he quit basketball after High School? Then the story shows us a parallel with one of his players, Brandon Durrett (played by: Brandon Wilson) who is arguably the most talented player of the current line-up of Bishop Hayes; but fails to be a vocal player given that he’s their starting point guard. But after knowing the reason why the stud isn’t pretty much expressive of his personality in-game, because of His father, also get to know Jack’s reason why he ditched basketball, clearly shows the parallel of the two of them and what they went through with the game without family meddling causing their passion for the game.
Jack’s altercation with his starting center, Marcus Parrish (played by: Famous Viner, Melvin Gregg. Who by the way reminded me of his stint with Season 2 of American Vandal) showed Jack’s frustration when it comes to not taking the game with heart.
The hospital scene killed me, it was really depressing and pivotal to the story of why Jack hit rock bottom. Imagine Jack had to go through two all-time lows, which made alcohol his coping mechanism.
It was frustrating to get less basketball scenes, but it made sense ‘cause it wanted to prioritize the drama POV of Jack. But, nonetheless it was a great movie. Ben showed one of his best performances in this film.
His redemption arc in the story was satisfying for us, even though he was let go of his coaching duties it took him in a path to fix his life and compensate for his bad decisions and life with regrets.
I gave this film a 9/10. Great flick.
PS: It's my first review, I'm trying to be a critique. So, do take this with a grain of salt. I'm open for criticism and need tons of advice.
