While this follows the cliches set by so many other sports films, it tells its story well with some surprisingly effective emotional scenes.
We have all seen these types of movies before and know what to except. Therefore for the get go The Way Back has little chance of wowing us with originality. So what matters most with a movie like this is how well it tells its story and this film does a surprisingly good job. The one thing about this movie that does surprise is that it goes into darker areas than the average feel good sports drama. Our main character has lost his son and has let this descend him to depression and alcoholism. Most sports dramas would use this as a an obstacle that sports helps him overcome but this movie dives into the darkness that is happening in the man's soul. When we see him hit bottom we really see him hit bottom and some scenes can be plain difficult to watch. This is helped by Ben Affleck giving one of his best performances. One scene in a hospital is a simple yet undeniably powerful moment that stuck in my mind after the movie was finished. However I must admit that this part of the story can be too rushed and simplified in order to have your more typical sports drama scenes. These parts of the movie are cliche as can be and features dialogue we have heard a million times. However director Gavin O'Connor (Miracle) knows his way around this type of movie and manages to make even the most cliche material work.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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