Jack Cunningham was a High School basketball phenom who walked away from the game, forfeiting his future. Years later, when he reluctantly accepts a coaching job at his alma mater, he may get one last shot at redemption.
Life comes with consequences and rewards. All it takes is one mistake to set the course for a rocky journey, however, there are chances for recovery, comebacks, and joy! Brandon, the star basketball player gets one shot to determine a second chance, not just for his team but for the lives impacted surrounding him. In this drama starring Ben Affleck as the head coach of a Catholic school basketball team, the saying, “you reap what you sow” is an afterthought of seeing how everything unfolds for the cast from sin to shame and all that lies in between.
Cursing is without argument that it’s used profusely to handle stirring emotions heaped upon deep-seated pain that hasn’t been dealt with in Jack Cunningham’s (Ben Affleck) life. While some may gasp at the overuse of profanity, it’s being portrayed in a humorous, light-hearted way, yet at the same time, it brings to light the darkness holding people down.
Throughout the course of what seems to be just another “basketball movie,” it’s not by any means. That delighted me. I was moved by the depth and soul the writer illustrates how there’s life going on outside of the game. Everyday life matters, not just sports, and this film showcases how the choices of one person can affect the whole team. On the other hand, sports brings beauty to our messy lives and bring people together, creating an environment for players to grow and perform at maximum expectations. The audience feels the excitement and chatter that comes from being enthused. Overall, sports can calm busy people from pure entertainment yet at the same time, rev them up from the pressure. The not knowing is adrenaline at its finest!
Even for someone who’s not into basketball, per se, would benefit from experiencing the highs and lows carried out and the change in behavior in this movie. Every day is a new chance to get life back on track, to let the past go, to make positive changes, to be all who you were intended to be, to pull yourself out of the unseen black hole and to bring about a revelation of smiles from seeing how far you’ve come. Captivated by the heart and passion in pursuit of mending the old just got me. I wouldn’t call this one a tear-jerker but it definitely touches the sharp edges of the cracks in our lives and what blooms from adversity. Filled with light humor this one embodies emotion full-circle.
Life, death, overthinking, wins and losses, separation, profanity, alcoholism, relationships, betrayal, passion, and change all succumb to the basis of a storyline that will have your attention the whole time. You’ll leave this film contemplating how every choice you make is like a ripple effect. The hope is to let those feelings resonate to your core, bringing about new life.
In Theaters Friday, March 6th
