I was fooled by the title thinking there would be triumph over adversity. Affleck plays a guy who has had tragedy in his life and is unable to cope. Unlike Hoosiers, this movie maker gives no indication he is knowledgeable about basketball or the journeys of young men with a respected leader. Affleck is a hateable coach, and it is unconvincing that any player would respond to him. During 97%of the movie, I'm hoping for a hint there is some value to this "journey". Spoiler alert-------------it is not until the very end of the movie do we see Affleck is going to seek help for his alcoholism.
For me, this is 2 wasted hours during a pandemic era of oppression and despair. While I'm looking for something more uplifting, I would appreciate realism instead of such darkness. What also may have bothered me initially was the first scenes with the team he was coaching. Affleck has zero basketball acumen and is marginally believable as a coach. Affleck's greatest talent is as a businessman knowing this movie would compensate him well.
The undercard story of losing a child to cancer is a real kick in the teeth to a viewer. This type of element is such a cheap way to pull at someone's heartstrings - it's almost offensive it was weaponized this way. We knew he lost his son, but adding his friend's son to the grim cancer theme was piling on, just in case you were not sad enough. And of course, he was not only weak during these moments, he was out right cowardly - not fun to watch. There are better movies. Congrats to Ben for improving his bank account.
For me, this is 2 wasted hours during a pandemic era of oppression and despair. While I'm looking for something more uplifting, I would appreciate realism instead of such darkness. What also may have bothered me initially was the first scenes with the team he was coaching. Affleck has zero basketball acumen and is marginally believable as a coach. Affleck's greatest talent is as a businessman knowing this movie would compensate him well.
The undercard story of losing a child to cancer is a real kick in the teeth to a viewer. This type of element is such a cheap way to pull at someone's heartstrings - it's almost offensive it was weaponized this way. We knew he lost his son, but adding his friend's son to the grim cancer theme was piling on, just in case you were not sad enough. And of course, he was not only weak during these moments, he was out right cowardly - not fun to watch. There are better movies. Congrats to Ben for improving his bank account.