Hi guys and welcome to a new 2020 movie review! This time around we will be talking about one of the last movies that released back before theaters closed due to the pandemic and it’s one that wasn’t talked or discussed a whole lot back when it did come out (granted with everything going on it was easy to get lost in the shuffle) despite the fact that it was well reviewed and was the latest starring vehicle for Ben Affleck. That and the director Gavin O’Connor is the one behind some very well liked and/or successful films like Warrior, and the Accountant so I was interested in checking this out at one point as it is yet another small scale movie that Warner Bros. has been releasing for the later part of 2019 and early 2020 (to mostly lousy numbers unfortunately). So now that I was able to see this one let’s get to discussing it as it was one of the most emotionally powerful movies I’ve seen this year for reasons that I’ll explain down below.
The story tells of a man named Jack Cunningham who currently works as a construction worker and is an alcoholic who often spends his nights at bars and mostly remains isolated from any friends or family much to the concern of them. One day Jack receives a call from a priest from his old Catholic high school, Bishop Hayes, asking if he could step in and coach the high school basketball team as the former one suffered a heart attack, since he used to be the team’s star player back in his day. While hesitant at first he does accept the job and is soon introduced to the members of the team and learns that Bishop Hayes has not gone to the plays offs since he was on the team and since then it’s been a losing program. So now Jack must step up and coach this team as best as he can while still dealing, and struggling with his own personal demons as well.
This is one of those movies that definitely has a familiar underdog premise where a couch taking on a losing team and shaping them to be better players yet not only do I think it’s a well done variation on this old formula but it also has more to it that makes it stand out from others of it’s ilk. It actually does manage to subvert certain expectations going in as it is much more of a character study about a man struggling with alcoholism and it never provides any easy solutions to these struggles, really lookin into what tragedies led him down this path and how hard it is for him to move past them. It’s all presented in an honest, and grounded light which makes the movie work really well at it’s intended goals and makes it go in some unexpected directions especially when we get to the third act which I feel really elevated the movie for as it pulls no punches both in terms of how realistic, and honest it was, and the emotion that stems from it as well. It’s bittersweet for sure but yet it still ends on a hopeful note that I think will resonate with a lot of people. As for the basketball element I also thought that was handled well as there is a lot of investment in seeing Jack helping this team out, and it’s also here where some nice levity is added to the proceedings like with how Jack has trouble not swearing at the games, and some amusing jokes involving some of the players. While it may drag bit in some places it’s still an engrossing watch and Brad Ingelsby strong writing that never shoves it’s themes down the audience’s throats holds everything together beautifully.
Now when it comes to the basketball games themselves O’Connor does a very good job directing them as they can be quite intense and one tricky thing that he is able to accomplish is that he is able to make the games investing even if one may not know a whole bunch about the game of basketball itself or the different strategies. He also does a good job with showing us what Jack is thinking through his actions and the way he handles the camera and it’s a very well made film on the whole with some really beautiful looking shots throughout (the last one in particular left a big impression in a thematic sense). Heck while watching it I became curious about checking out more of his filmography as I’ve only ever seen parts of the Accountant which also stars Ben Affleck funny enough. Speaking of which the Oscar winning actor/director shines here in what may be among the best performances I’ve seen from him. Making it feel all the more real is that Affleck himself went through a lot of struggles with alcoholism in the past meaning this must’ve been an extremely personal role for him to take on. Naturally he excels in the role conveying what this character is going through and capturing his flaws very well making Jack into a fully rounded character who is sympathetic and has understandable reasons for why he turned out this way yet still has a lot of problems that he must try to overcome. This really is an acting showcase for him and it’s quite possibly one of if not the best lead performance I’ve seen all year (hopefully it’ll get some awards attention though that seems unlikely unfortunately). Yet while the focus is primarily on Jack most of the supporting players still have quite a bit to do as well. The stand out in this regard is Al Madrigal as the assistant coach (whose also an Algebra teacher), Dan, who gives an understated yet effective performance and the character comes to form a nice partnership with Jack (even if he is concerned, and suspicious his actions). Plus he is responsible for some of the levity as well and he is the most developed character here outside of Jack. Meanwhile Michela Watkins, and Janina Gavankar both deliver very solid emotional performances as Jack’s worrying sister, and ex-wife respectively and Jack’s relationship with the latter being very fleshed out in particular. Then there’s there are the players themselves and not all of them get a substantial amount to do and admittedly my biggest issue with the film was that I felt there could’ve been a little more time spent on developing the team dynamic. Still that doesn’t mean it’s completely underdeveloped as it is interesting seeing how Jack helps the kids out with two who get the most focus being the introverted yet talented point guard with a father who disapproves of him making the sport his future, Brandon (Brandon Wilson), and the center with a lot of attitude, Marcus (Melvin Gregg). Everyone else in the movie does fine work as well though once again this is mainly Affleck’s picture and he’s as good as he’s ever been.
All in all I found The Way Back to be a very emotional watch that works very well at what it’s going for. It has it’s familiar plot beats, the pacing can be a little too slow at points, and more time spent on the dynamic between Jack, and the players would’ve been nice but it still works as a very strong character study that deals it’s subject matter maturely and in a way that feels real, and it’s elevated by some story subversions, effective emotional moments, great craftsmanship, and great performances with Ben Affleck doing phenomenal work in particular. It’s a shame it hasn’t gotten a lot of attention since release but I do think it is very much worth checking out and I’m glad Warner Bros. is still making movies like these. Plus I can definitely see those who have struggled with alcoholism in the past connecting with this one and maybe even seeing some their own experiences in it as well. Its just a really great sports drama that makes me excited to see what Gavin O’Conner, and Brad Ingelsby do next and I hope more people start to give it the attention it deserves.
Rating: A-
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