The Way Back is a story about a high school basketball star (Ben Affleck) who once had everything at his fingertips, who gave up the game and fell into alcoholism. Years later, he gets a second shot when he’s asked to help bring his old team back to their former glory.
I love a comeback story that’s centered around sports. It’s one of those Hollywood classic tropes that just makes you feel good. The best sports films are usually centered around three key elements: Redemption, survival, and hope. This is a story about all three, but it may just be a little darker than expected.
The Way Back does not hold the whimsy you may be expecting from a basketball film. The trailer will have you thinking this is just like every other sports movie, but there is a gritty realness to this film. Within the first few minutes, you are painfully aware of one thing; our main character has a drinking problem. And later, when you learn the reason for his drinking, it will break your heart.
This is an emotional movie that moves painfully slow at some points. That being said, the pace and grit are what make this a breath of fresh air. There is no magic moment that instantly redeemed Affleck’s character. Instead, we get the cold reality of life. We see the first steps it takes to accept help when you are desperately in need of it. It could have used more interaction with the basketball team and a little extra comedic relief to ease some of the tension.
The real force in this movie is Ben Affleck. This is possibly one of his best performances, mainly because you can tell how personal this role is for him. He makes you root for this character even though he’s sloppy and abrasive at times.
If you are curious and want to learn more about the film, there are two special features that dig deeper into the story.
In “The Way Back: This Sporting Life,” the cast and crew talk about the journey of the movie and the significant impact the team/sport plays in the path to redemption. There’s also a commentary on why these stories are so important.
“Every Loss Is Another Fight: The Road to Redemption” Ben Affleck talks about his struggles with alcoholism and why playing this role was so crucial for him.
Pick up The Way Back on Blu-ray May 19th.
Review: The Way Back
Review Nation Score
Review
The Way Back is a dark take on a classic premise. While the movie could be slow at points, it sets itself apart from other films in its genre. Ben Affleck's performance was the selling point of this movie.
