Warner Bros. Pictures
Over the years, Gavin O’Connor has directed some outstanding films. From Warrior to The Accountant, I have been impressed with his career so far. His newest film, The Way Back, was released in theaters at the beginning of March. It didn’t perform very well due to the Coronavirus. Theaters were shut down shortly after and many people didn’t get a chance to see it. Now it hit VOD, along with other films like Onward and Bloodshot, and I was excited to see it because it stars Ben Affleck. I love Ben Affleck!
Ben Affleck stars as Jack Cunningham, a troubled man who had a promising career in basketball who now struggles with alcohol. He is approached to coach the basketball team at his old high school and sees it as an opportunity to turn his life around.
I haven’t seen a good sports drama in a while. They all involve the same tropes and ending. What makes a sports drama worth watching is the emotional connection to the characters and the storyline. The Way Back included most sports drama tropes but handled it with care that made the film one of the best of the year so far. Gavin O’Connor previously directed another sports drama, Warrior, which was one of the decade’s best dramas and not many people gave that film the attention it deserves, and I think The Way Back will end up the same way.
Jack Cunningham has suffered a lot in life. The film doesn’t present you with all his problems right away but instead lets his past unfold throughout the movie. When we are introduced to Jack, he drinks on the job and is separated from his wife. He is asked to coach the basketball team at his former high school. The film gives us several reasons why he wouldn’t be a good coach and even he thinks it as well. He takes on the job of a team that has a losing record and it sets up a path that can only go up from there. Jack clearly has a love for the game and is immediately harsh on the team, but believes they can turn things around. Most films like this see the teamwork with each other and the coach leaving an impact on them as they go through their season. The Way Back is similar regarding that storyline but sets itself apart from others by the connection Jack makes with the team and the emotional storyline for him.
Warner Bros. Pictures
Affleck gives a fantastic performance that is easily worth a look back when it comes time to vote for the Oscars. The film gives you nothing to like about the character early in the film but as we learn about his past, he becomes a character you care about for what he went through. As he starts to bond with his players, the lighter moments of Affleck’s character come out and it is heartwarming to watch. Affleck balances the darker side of the story with the moments that call for him to be happier in life. The film doesn’t really develop the young basketball players since there are a lot of them, but gives enough time to Marcus, who acts out often and is a bit of a hot head. His love of basketball is felt several times throughout the movie.
Of course, the film gives you moments to cheer for. I love watching basketball games, especially when teams come from behind and secure a win. The Bishop Hayes have some great talent on the team, but don’t work together (we have seen that before) but as they learn about each other’s strengths and weaknesses, they learn what it takes to be a team. They start to win more games and it is fun to root for the underdog team and watch them work hard and become a winning team. O’Connor did a great job setting up the scenes and covering plenty of games in a short period of time, but still handling the progression well.
I am disappointed that not a lot of people got to check out The Way Back in theaters. I think it will be an overlooked film of 2020 and for years to come. Ben Affleck and Gavin O’Connor prove once again they are a great pair and I would love to see them work together again in the future.
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