Jack Cunningham, a high school phenomenon, reluctantly accepts a high school coaching job providing a redemption for the school, the students, and most importantly, himself.
Who is in it?
Ben Affleck - Jack Cunningham
Al Madrigal - Dan
Janina Gavankar - Angela
Michaela Watkins - Beth
Favorite Scene:
[spoiler alert]
After getting thrown out of a game, Jack explains to Brandon why didn't pursue his full ride to Kansas after being a high school star.
Favorite Quote:
"You're nervous. I get it. The truth is, they're more talented than you. Probably got a better coach. But I promise you, they are not a better team. Because they haven't been through what we've been through. They don't know adversity. They don't know what it's like to get knocked down and have to get back up again. They don't know what it is to fight."A lot of times hurting myself trying to hurt my father."
Review:
The Way Back can feel cliche. We've seen the story many times before in some fashion regarding a main character's redemption coinciding with that of a team's success. This film is soaked in that cliche, but with it, a deeper sense of the character Jack Cunningham's troubles and self-issues. His problems aren't with the game of basketball, and they can't be solved through basketball. It's just a touch that gives this film legs to keep it interesting and different. The way back isn't always easy, and it isn't always clear.
While the story is centered on Jack, I often wish we got to learn more about the players and their flaws, and how Jack's influence helped them with their inner demons as well.
Ben Affleck is always good in these roles playing the blue-collar lifer with something more to be had. He's good in this one as well.
The Way Back is alright. It's not great, but certainly an okay viewing.
Grade: 2.5/5