The Way Back (2020)

Directed by Gavin O’Connor. Starring Ben Affleck, Al Madrigal, Janina Gavankar, Michaela Watkins, Jeremy Radin, Brandon Wilson, Melvin Gregg, Matthew Glave, Sal Velez Jr., John Aylward, T.K. Carter, Will Ropp. [R]

High-functioning alcoholic Affleck gets a shot at redemption when he becomes the basketball coach for the high school where he was once a star. This could have been a trite inspirational sports movie, but there’s more on the plate than just maudlin heroics, and the story arc isn’t as predictable as it initially appears (i.e., a hoops-centric Mighty Ducks with booze and a lot more swearing). Affleck, whose own personal struggles make him all-too-credible in the role, avoids most of the slurring, rock-bottom clichés, and brings the sort of gravity and grace notes needed to separate him from the drunken pack. What holds the film back from truly succeeding, however, are the conventions of the sports moments and tragic atmosphere; almost every one of his players could have been plucked out of any number of earlier high school hoops pictures (from Hoosiers to Coach Carter) and the earnestness of the protagonist’s back story (withheld too long) drains his weary soul of color and definition. Written by Brad Inglesby; director O’Connor also co-produced.

67/100