Movie Review: The Way Back (2020)

Ben Affleck stars as Jack Cunningham, a high school basketball phenom, who quit playing, gave up his scholarship, and landed on hard times. He blamed his father. After he got married, his life turned around until his son died at age 8. He separated from his wife and for the last year, has been on an alcoholic binge. He drank when he got up, when he worked, when he took a shower, and when he went home. One day, he receives a request from the bishop of his former high school to fill in for the basketball coach. At first, he refuses but the bishop asks him to think about it overnight. He practices his refusal all night as he drinks, but when daylight comes, he accepts.

Jack has all kinds of demons that he can’t shake, but his love for the game comes out. Unfortunately, even that isn’t enough to save him. This movie doesn’t have a storybook ending. It’s probably a more realistic ending but it may leave some people wanting a different result.

Good cast, good plot, and good direction. All in all, a good movie. It’s a hard-hitting, realistic film, not made much anymore. Ben Affleck’s performance was noteworthy.

I'm not sure why the year was in the title because this doesn't seem like part of a series, but maybe, it is.