“The Way Back” starring Ben Affleck, Al Madrigal, and Janina Gavankar, directed by Gavin O’Connor and written by Brad Ingelsby.

This film came out in theaters a few weeks prior to shutdowns and quarantines closed down theaters in March. Sports films are always a gamble because of the over-dramatization of some bad team who gets a new coach, new superstar, or something else to turn things around. It’s a tired trope.

“The Way Back” though was different. Yes, there is a bad team. Yes, there is a golden-boy coach, a savior of the team. But the twist in “The Way Back” is that basketball Coach Jack Cunningham is running from demons in a previous life. His main struggle is his battle with alcoholism. His wife has left him. His strained relationship with his father. All of these themes swirl around the film.

It was a very good film that didn’t sweep the destructive nature of alcoholism under the rug. It deals with the struggle, the anger, the brokenness of real life. The film is now available for streaming for only $5.99 while we continue to quarantine and practice social distancing. Watch the trailer below: