The Way Back

Official Australian release date: 5/3/20. Viewed: 7/3/20.

Director: Gavin O’Connor

Actors: Ben Affleck, Al Madrigal, Janina Gavankar, Brandon Wilson

Genre: Drama / Sport 

Rating: M

  

  

‘The Way Back’ (not to be confused with Peter Weir’s film of the same name from 2010) is a return to form for Ben Affleck, a former high school basketball prodigy who has fallen on hard times. Jack (Affleck) is a mostly-functioning alcoholic – which really hits home how it’s depicted – who is separated from wife Angela (Gavankar) and claiming all’s fine in his life.

Rather than show Jack as a young basketball star, the film starts with him at his lowest and slowly reveals what’s happened in his life over the past 5 years to change him. It gets quite touching. Jack finds a lifeline in coaching his old high school’s basketball team, with assistant coach Dan (Madrigal). They’re not quite a ragtag bunch of no-hopers, but they’re not far off – except for Brendon (Wilson). He has a nice little story arc.

After exploring why he didn’t go to college basketball/NBA, and not just focusing on the predictable winning montage, the film explores the effects of Jack’s actions on his wife, his coaching career and his friends. It’s certainly not a typical ‘Replacements’/‘Mighty Ducks’-style “sporting miracle” story, and it doesn’t necessarily have a happy or sad ending. Does well to contrast the Californian sun with the reality of some people’s lives. Worth it for Affleck’s well-balanced & semi-tortured acting.

Overall: Not overly original, but good emotional journey.  

Gav's Rating: 3.5 stars.