Every Loss Is Another Fight

Kaleidoscope's latest is on Warner Bros. & BRON Studios's production of "The Way Back".  Directed & co-written by Gavin O'Connor, the movie stars Ben Affleck, Michaela Watkins, Janina Gavankar, Al Madrigal, John Aylward, & Brandon Wilson.  Rated 'R', it has a running time of 1 hr., 48 min.

Jack Cunningham (Affleck) is an alcoholic construction worker who is separated from his wife Angela (Gavankar).  The exposition depicts Jack's life as going to work; going to the local bar after work; coming home to eat a meager dinner, & drinking himself to a night in oblivion.  The next day--repeat the previous.  At Thanksgiving, he has dinner at his sister Beth's (Watkins) home where it is evident that she & her family are well-to-do.  While eating, Beth informs Jack that people, including his estranged wife Angela (Gavankar, are growing increasingly concerned about his rampant drinking & increasing isolation from them & his family.  The following day, Jack hears a voice mail on his phone from Father Devine (Aylward), the principal of his old high school, Bishop Hayes, where Jack was a basketball star who had led his school to several championships.  When Jack goes to see Father Devine next day at the school, Hayes informs Jack that he would like to offer Jack the head coaching spot on the boys' varsity basketball team since the current one has had a heart attack. Devine gives him a day to decide.   Although initially hesitant, Jack decides to accept the position.  Jack then is introduced to the assistant coach, algebra teacher Dan (Madrigal), & the team--a team that has only won 1 game this year & has not won a championship since Jack's time there.  Act I nears to a close here as the film transitions in directions that are not the usual ones for a "basketball"-set drama.

Frankly, I was not looking forward to this umpteenth basketball movie where the underdog team triumphs over their future opponents because of their new charismatic coach who is a paragon of virtue.  Thankfully, this is not that movie.  I have admired director/writer O'Connor's past work: 2008's "Pride & Glory", 2011's "Warrior", & 2016's "The Accountant".  What is refreshing about "Back" is that it is not really a 'basketball' movie--much as "Glory" was not really a 'cop' movie, "Warrior" was not really a 'boxing' movie, & "Accountant' was not really about ledgers.  As with those other 3, "Way Back" is an intense character study of a flawed man who drowns his depression, sorrow, & grief in alcohol, cigarettes, & isolation.  O'Connor sensitively directs the actors & situations so that their interactions are palpable & real.  There is an air of verisimilitude that pervades the settings, actors, & moods.  O'Connor & co-writer Brad Inglesby have provided dialogue that is convincing & authentic, thereby adding to the movie's realism. Ultimately, the film's main theme centers on one man's redemption & the extremely difficult road one must travel to achieve reclamation & absolution.   Affleck, who also starred in O'Connor's "The Accountant" returns to the screen in a role that was made for him.  His towering presence is nicely juxtaposed against the depths to which his life has become.  Although he is given a chance to redeem himself through the coaching job offer,  Affleck effectively conveys what a torturous road this can be--depite the love of those around him.  The one negative is that the performance, as a whole, is a bit too one-note.  It would have been nice to see more dimensions, but one is thankful for what one gets.  The supporting cast is good although they are played more as 'types' rather than fully realized characters; of course, this is mainly due to O'Connor's & Inglesby's screenplay.  Eduard Grau's moody cinematography is effectual in conveying the film's tone & Jack's situation.  Rob Simonsen's spare, minimalist score is superb in highlighting & underscoring the film's previously mentioned themes & mood.  The score's leitmotifs appear at appropriate times; one is reminded of Clint Eastwood's similar minimalist scores for many of his films.  

I give "The Way Back" 7 1/2 out of 10 nuggets.  If one is looking for another "Hoosiers" or "Coach Carter", one might be a bit disappointed.  If one is looking for a well-made character study with basketball as a backdrop, head to the local cinema for a rewarding time at the movies.