So to be clear, this isn’t 2010’s “The Way Back”, Peter Weir’s terrific survival adventure starring Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, and Ed Harris. And this isn’t “The Way Way Back”, the 2013 coming-of-age indie and Sam Rockwell showcase. This is in fact 2020’s “The Way Back”, a deeply personal and emotionally intense character study disguised as an uplifting sports drama.
Most sports movies follow a pretty familiar blueprint and in some ways this film is no different. But the best sports movies work because they capture the human element. In “The Way Back”, the sports stuff follows the usual formula and it’s the human element that indeed stands out. In fact you could say that basketball is simply a meaningful plot mechanism helping to tell the story of a broken man on the precipice of self-destruction.
Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Ben Affleck gives one of the best performances of his career playing Jack Cunningham, a construction worker who recently separated from his wife Angela (a terrific Janina Gavankar). Early in the movie we learn Jack is a raging alcoholic and the film puts a lot of effort into effectively emphasizing how far he has spiraled. Disconnected and out of sorts, Jack’s dependency on alcohol as a means to quell his suffering only intensifies as we learn more about him.
But a ray of light comes in the form of a phone call from his Catholic high school alma mater. Jack was a star player back in the day. Now they want him to come back and take over the team after their head coach suffers a heart attack. He reluctantly agrees and soon finds himself once again enjoying the game he had left behind.
But director Gavin O’Connor (who worked with Affleck on “The Accountant”) and screenwriter Brad Ingelsby keep their film from succumbing to formula. Yes, much of the sports angle rings familiar. But one of the best things about the story is how it blows by the expected ending, skipping the easy out and staying true to its character-driven convictions. Basketball doesn’t miraculously heal Jack. It points him in the right direction, but his demons don’t magically disappear. The filmmakers wisely avoid the sentimental cop out.
Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros.
You can’t help but sense an almost autobiographical vibe with Affleck’s performance. Considering his own real-life battles you could see this role as being therapeutic. Affleck fully commits himself and the honesty he brings lets you know he’s pulling from an intensely personal place. Gavankar is a great counterbalance. In their few scenes together her restrained, emotionally delicate approach adds a special layer to their relationship. It’s clear Angela is hurting too and Gavankar does a great job of conveying it.
As O’Conner showed with 2011’s “Warrior”, he’s no stranger to subverting the traditional sports drama. He does it again here on the back of a powerful, unflinching Ben Affleck performance. The sports stuff bops along in predictable fashion and some of the lightheartedness that comes with it doesn’t always land. But when focused on Affleck (which it mostly is) the movie shines and it smartly leans into the actor’s own experiences. It doesn’t offer clean and simple answers, but it does believe in second chances. Regardless of whether you’re a down-and-out construction worker/basketball coach or an immensely talented middle-aged actor.
VERDICT – 4 STARS
keithandthemovies.com 
I liked Ben Affleck as Batman
I did too.
I like Affleck in quite a few things (including batman :D) but anything to do with sports is unlikely to be seen here, though I might try to sneak it in for an ironing movie. Also The Way Back was terrific indeed!
Give this one a shot. As I mentioned, basketball is really Just a device to move Affleck’s character along. He’s sooo good in this and his story is raw and real. Don’t worry about the sports stuff.
Okidoki on the list!
Woo Hoo! Mission accomplished! 🙂
No seriously, I think this one will really surprise you. And it’s a must if you like Affleck.
Yeah my first thought was you had got the date wrong for the Sam Rockwell picture. ha.
HaHaHa. I do love that Rockwell performance and movie. It made my Top 10 that year.
He’s great. Moon is one of those films I want to love and I know most people rate but I couldn’t get into it.
It’s funny you mention Moon. I really need to revisit it. I remember liking it but not really having the unbridled love for it that many do.
Seems like this one and Invisible Man really got shortchanged as far as time in theaters before everything closed. I’d like to catch this one whenever that become possible again.
(not exactly related, just saw the way way back a few days ago, those screenwriters, who also did The Descendants, not on same wavelength as I am)
You’re right, shortchanged for sure. I’m guessing that’s why they came to VOD so quick. Hoping to make up whatever money they can.
It’s funny, unlike most, I actually like The Way Way Back better than The Descendants. I liked the latter but not quite as much as most.
I had a “There’s no there there” reaction to the Descendants.
I can understand that. It’s one I really haven’t had an urge to revisit.
I heard really good things about it as I might check it out as I’m happy to learn that Ben is doing fine as I hope he gets better both professionally and personally. Just as long as he can live long enough to sing “Scotty Doesn’t Know” at Matt Damon’s funeral.
This was a nice surprise and you can sense Affleck pouring his heart and soul into the role. It may his best performance to date. And I say that as a fan.
Affleck is doing good again and I thought he was a good Batman. Better than Kilmer and Clooney.
I’m with you. I thought he made for a good Batman. The material didn’t always help him, but his performance and what he brought to the character was never a problem for me.
I’m not into sports movies, but I do like Ben Affleck!
I’ll just say don’t approach this as your standard sports movie. It’s VERY VERY different which is why I feel you might like it.
Cool.