Forget the tabloid headlines surrounding Ben Affleck, the redemptive drama 'The Way Back' features the actor at his best.
“The Way Back” could have been as by the numbers as its title, a name that telegraphs a need to be redeemed, to rebound from adversity. But it isn’t.
It’s also a tribute to Affleck, the filmmakers and his well-chosen fellow actors that though he’s the film’s only boldface name, “The Way Back” has not been allowed to turn into a star vehicle but instead functions as a smooth ensemble. More than that, most evenings find him at Harold’s Place, a non-gentrified dive bar whose other patrons are adept at bringing him home when he becomes falling down drunk, which is often.
As it turns out, Jack was a spectacular basketball player in his youth, the CIF Player of the Year two years running, before flaming out in college. Too embarrassed to think about the alcoholism that should mandate his refusal, he says yes. Not surprisingly, as assistant coach Dan Espinosa tells Jack, Bishop Hayes’ squad is a ragtag bunch of middling-at-best players who needle each other and have never even heard of team spirit.Among the individuals we get to know are Marcus , whose self-esteem outpaces his game, Brandon , talented but lacking in confidence, and Kenny , who focuses on his social life more than his teammates.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ben Affleck finds redemption in sobering sports drama 'The Way Back'We all know, logically, that actors aren’t the roles the play — that Ben Affleck isn’t actually Batman any more than he’s an astronaut or…
Read more »
Ben Affleck says Adam Driver 'made me a hero to my kid' after sweet birthday surpriseBen Affleck recounts how actor Adam Driver saved his 8-year-old son Samuel's birthday with a sweet surprise from 'Star Wars' character Kylo Ren.
Read more »
Ben Affleck Explains How Adam Driver Surprised His 'Star Wars' Fan Son'It was an incredibly moving and powerful moment. Adam made me a hero to my kid and I will never ever ever forget it,' the 'Way Back' star said when visiting 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on Tuesday.
Read more »
Adam Driver Helped Ben Affleck Save His Son's Birthday PartyAffleck got emotional telling Jimmy Kimmel about Driver's act of kindness.
Read more »
Pixar’s ‘Onward’ to Lead Box Office, ‘The Way Back’ With Ben Affleck Eyes Rocky StartDisney and Pixar’s “Onward” is expected to dominate moviegoing in North America when it debuts this weekend. The family-friendly animated adventure should collect $40 million to $…
Read more »
Review: Ben Affleck soars in sobering 'The Way Back,' an addiction drama with underdog hoop dreamsBen Affleck impresses as an alcoholic and reluctant basketball coach on a road to redemption in Gavin O'Connor's sobering sports drama 'The Way Back.'
Read more »