Review Summary
5 Star
0
16%
4 Star
0
61%
3 Star
0
19%
2 Star
0
0%
1 Star
0
0%
Recommendations
- Acting 0%100%
- Direction 13%87%
- Story 3%97%
- Visuals 7%93%
Top Review
Niki
I truly enjoyed watching this film. It’s much more about the journey of a man whose seen it all. Anyone who is expecting a Hoosiers style experience should stay home. This movie is much more about the trials and tribulations of a man who is trying to cope. Would recommend to anyone who has seen first hand what stress and pressure can do to someones mental stability.
Recommendations
The Way Back
-
4
30 Reviews
- Genre : Drama,Sport
- Runtime : 1h 48m
- Cast : Ben Affleck, Janina Gavankar, Michaela Watkins
- Director : Gavin O'Connor
- Producer : Gordon Gray, Jennifer Todd, Gavin O'Connor
- Language : English
- Release Date : 06 Mar 2020
- Rating : 14A
Reviews
Rishabh posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
Ben Affeck performance is so real you are rooting for all invovled to win. I gave this movie a 5 because I loved seeing Ben Affeck amazing acting carry all to win in this movie ! Enjoyed going with my grand daughters and my adult sons to see this movie enjoyed watching this film. It’s much more about the journey of a man whose seen it all. A movie that is entertainment but provides a good message to apply to life. Msg.: Get back Up, while helping others rise!
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Swathi posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
Awesome film. The outstanding screenplay comes from Brad Ingelsby (OUT OF THE FURNACE, 2013), and with director O'Connor and the cast, the film has a throwback to the 70's feel ... gritty and realistic. This is not the smirking, strutting stud we are accustomed to seeing with Affleck. He seems immersed in the role and brings an understanding to the struggles, the rehab, and the importance of a support system
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Murali posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
It would be interesting to observe someone who hasn’t seen a Ben Affleck movie since his heydey in the 2000s watch The Way Back. The one-time idol is nearly unrecognisable these days, having traded in that cocky smile for a dead-eyed glumness. In The Way Back, Affleck doesn’t walk around with his trademark strut, but with his hands stuffed in his pockets, his body slouched and disproportionately top-heavy.He instils in Jack a familiarity that could only come from someone who has, partially, lived that sort of life -- it’s the kind of instinctive performance that Affleck delivered in David Fincher’s Gone Girl, in which he channelled an altogether different side to his persona.
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Abi posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
In this movie, Ben Affleck performance is fantastic and is, so far, my favorite performance of the year. He was able to convey so much emotion and harness it from his personal experiences that it was impressive. The rest of the cast does a decent job but they weren't as developed as Ben Affleck was. They each have a character trait that defines them and that was about it. The screenplay was pretty good. It isn't best of the year level but it was a lot better than the other films I have seen this year. I didn't take a lot of issue with some of the other technical aspects but I did have an issue with the cinematography. The camera was always shaking. I don't remember a single steady shot. It made sense for the basketball game sequences but not for any normal scenes. It also felt amateurish at points. There is a scene that takes place at lunch and the camera zooms in on Ben Affleck but it shifts position halfway through as if the cinematographer forgot to set the shot in frame. The editing was perfectly fine and the score by Rob Simonsen was good and helped add some emotion to different sequences and scenes.
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Thickna posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
The way back is a very watchable sport film that deals with sports aspects of a story but it also deals with more problematic issue for our lead character and it shows how can that easily ruin peoples lifes but it also give us message that we can always recover from it and to continue in a new better way,affleck give perhaps his best performance in life and even if i know that he wont but it would nice that he wins some award for this film since he deserves it.
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Sai posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
The movie is not based on a true story, but it pulls largely from the real life story of Ben Affleck who has struggled with alcohol for years and found himself in a rehab facility just before this movie started filming. A functioning alcoholic that tries to make it through each day without completely losing it, he eventually gets the head coaching gig at his old school,where he was the start player, and slowly starts to turn his life around but not without a few hiccups along the way. This film showcases some of Affleck's best acting in his storied carried, right up there with the likes of Argo and the Town, and it was easy to see that he put everything into this role.
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Agrippa posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
Ben Affleck gives his best performance of his career in this film. Honestly if I were to watch a sport movie. It would be this one. The feelings this movie give off are outstanding. At one point it's sad and then at another point it's funny and happy, and then back to sad. This movie really plays with your emotions, but this movie isn't about the basketball team at all, it's about the thrive and healing of a depressed alcoholic. It's about regaining hope in life and finding something better than himself. Which is basketball. One of the funny things about this movie is that it's a Christian school and the players and coach use the worst language possible and sexual innuendos, I found that really funny. I don't really have any problems with the movie. The one problem I might have with it and it's a big might. But it would probably be the pacing, it just seems to really skip over important scenes too quick. But that may just be me trying to find something wrong with this movie. Go see this movie, you will feel better about yourself after you see it. I know I did. Loved it. Will watch it again.
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Nancy posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
The Way Back is a movie that is quite enjoyable especially if you are a fan of sports movies and love basketball. Ben Affleck gives a strong performance which feels very personal to him. This element heightens the film even more, it has a lot of things that you would find in the sports genre such as: Motivational scenes which make you feel good and make you want to support the characters. It doesn't oversimplify the game of basketball as well, the way they use strategies and plays feels like something you would actually see in a huddle of a high school basketball game and as a former assistant coach for a school basketball team I found that to be a really cool element. The way it handles the drama aspects outside of basketball and the real reason as to why the character is an alcoholic I found to be quite compelling and it felt quite emotional at times. The film has a couple of drawbacks with the main one being that this is a little too cliched at times, a lot of tropes that you would see in sports films happen in this one, and I noticed that a lot of elements on the coaches interactions with the players were a little too similar to coach carter, which has a film that handled those elements better. Also the acting apart from Affleck for the most part was sub par, especially in the first act. The run time felt a little too long as well due to the fact that there were a lot of sub plots, I think it could have been better if they would cut some of them out to create a more tighter story line. Overall, I had a good time with the way back, I think if you're not a fan of the genre you won't find anything new here. However if you love sports, basketball and typical films in this genre you will have a good time like I did, and the awesome Ben Affleck performance is a bonus.
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Ravi posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
As someone who is a sports movie fan, I truly enjoyed watching this film. It’s much more about the journey of a man whose seen it all. Anyone who is expecting a Hoosiers style experience should stay home. This movie is much more about the trials and tribulations of a man who is trying to cope. Would recommend to anyone who has seen first hand what stress and pressure can do to someones mental stability.
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Fleming posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
Just saw this movie Ben was amazing in this personal movie about he’s real life struggles .a lot what Ben is going through in real a lot of stuff about he’s real life struggles in this movie is in here and been gives it he’s all . This goes in 1 of my favorite basketball movies top 10. Ben gives a very realistic stripped down performance.
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Life posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
There is a scene in this movie...its so powerful, I actually heard few women gasp at the movie theatre when it was over. So, I dont wish to spoil it for anyone, but you will understand once you see it. So, in this particular scene, he is sitting with his ex wife and he says to her "I failed my son, because I did not take care of his mother". It honestly made me cry too..movie can be sadly reality for lots of people out there, but remember one thing...there is ALWAYS way back and way up, no matter what. Ben and the rest of the crew did such an AMAZING job...truly.
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Nithin posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
The story was believable and relatable. Ben Affleck did an amazing job playing the role of grieving father suffering with guilt and alcoholism. The entire cast represented the every day life of many Americans.The director's pace and choices did not work well for me. I enjoyed Coach Carter and Glory Road much better.
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Sajan posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
This film shows how a film can be crafted by someone who cares about the story they want to tell. Affleck is amazing. His performance, by far, is the best acting by a man this year. Because of his very own public battle with alcohol, he makes this character real. He shows us that we know that he knows what it is like to carry the demons of addiction around. Gavankar is terrific as his former wife, who wants to move on with her life. The basketball scenes are some of the best I've seen shot for a film because they were very realistic to high school basketball. The movie gets it right with the noise of the gym, the anxious players, and the boys' willingness to buy into someone that knows basketball. Jack knows how to motivate them, as he motivates himself into caring about something more than his loss.
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Lambo posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
Powerful. Raw. Real. The emotions that I felt, watching Affleck's performance covered the gamut. It was heartbreakingly honest, and didn't flinch from the horrors of addiction. I will say that watching it was extremely powerful to me, because my father was an alcoholic, and I never understood it. Watching this incredible performance I could see that it was to hide pain, to cover inadequacy, to not feel. One of the most honest movies out there, regarding that. The basketball story was incredible too...somehow I was reminded of Chariots of Fire while watching it. Just how they overcame adversity, and found themselves. This movie is destined to become a classic, in so many ways. Bravo to all who participated, and all who let down their guards and were just real.
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Sanki posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
THIS WAS AN AMAZING MOVIE, about a recovering alcoholic and finding his way "back" through coaching a very rough and also "recovering" High School basketball team who eventually makes the Championship game w/o him because he lost his job, fell off the wagon losing the coaching position would only lead him back down the road of drinking even more and making worse decisions. They never forgot him though and he didn't forgot the young men whose lives he changed.
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Vinish posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
The acting was realistic, from Ben Affleck's painful "way back" to the young people's everyday teen lives. Basketball play and coaching were well done, & the portrayal of the depth of pain from family loss was heartbreaking. The only negative was the overuse of the F word. And I'm no prude! Overall, the movie contained something for everyone.
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Tineesh posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
This is a good movie, but not a great movie. I like watching Ben Affleck as much as anyone. This is not his best performance, but it's a good one. Like when Ben Affleck is managing his team. His speeches reminded me of his small role in Boiler Room (2000). Fiery, inspiring, 100% believable. But parts of the movie are just underdeveloped, such that I found myself not believing events would play out as they did or not understanding why they did. Some parts of the movie, like the scenes with the team captain's father, seemed totally out of place, like they had decided to cut that part of the film but then just left in some gutted remnants of it.
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LingeswarRior posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
Good for older kids but NOT for young kids I took my 14 year old son to go see this movie because he loves basketball. I heard that there is a lot of swearing in this movie but after the movie I didn't think it was that bad so then I decided to take my other son who is 12 and he didn't care about the swearing at all. The movie did have some positive messages but not strong enough for a 10 year old kid to go see. I think you should take your pre-teen or teen to go see this movie.This movie will always hold a special place in my heart
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Pandi posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
Ben Affleck shines as Jack Cunningham and delivers one of, if not, the best performance of his career. In his second collaboration with director Gavin O'Connor, Ben Affleck delivers a performance that is both nuanced and explosive when needed. Given Ben Affleck's own personal struggles with alcoholism it doesn't surprise me that he almost seems to draw his performance from personal experience. The movie does a very good job of setting his character up right away and throughout the whole movie the temptation of alcoholism always looms large of his head. The movie is more of a character study rather than a traditional sports drama film which might disappoint some viewers but I think it worked out great given how many times the formulaic underdog sports drama story has been done before. The movie makes a bold choice in the third act that turns this film from a conventional sports drama into something special.
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Rolen posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
I'm a huge fan of Gavin O'Conner, ever since Warrior I think he's done fantastic work and i think this is just another example of that. It's not your typical sports movie like a Coach Carter or Gridiron Gang so the trailers can be a bit deceiving. Affleck, in his second collaboration with O'Conner after The Accountant gives an incredibly real and reserved performance. This is a very good .
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Ester posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
In the best performance of his career, Ben Affleck tells a story of a son and father dealing with great personal trauma and loss, suffering through his inability to deal with it - choosing alcohol to dull and suppress the pain. It’s a well told story of the darkest moments and the struggle to find healing among family, friends realizing it requires a calling from within to live up to being our best selves - - which he achieves. His emotional portrayal is honest, intense and appears to come from deep inside. Writing, direction, cinematography, editing, settings and musical score are wonderfully synchronized - simple - direct - and very personal taking the viewer close-in and a part of the story.
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Jeny posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
This film succeeds in the realism of portraying one man struggling to find his way back from a terrible time in life, but through work, patience, and support can get better. It accomplishes the inspirational story in a calmer manner and using the central focus of Affleck, whose acting brings this role to life, you will be pleased with the story presented. Yet, if you go in here looking for another sports film integrated with life lessons.
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Abish posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
The movie was very predictable. He had a drinking problem and the team had a losing problem and they became intertwined. They both became winners. The problem is there was no real climax to cause him to pivot and stop drinking. It just sort of happened gradually. As did the team winning... there was no real change that caused a call to action. The movie was unoriginal and easily predictable. Pretty bad movie in both the personal growth and sports team categories.
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Jerin posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
Ben Affleck gives his best performance of his career in this film. Honestly if I were to watch a sport movie. It would be this one. The feelings this movie give off are outstanding. At one point it's sad and then at another point it's funny and happy, and then back to sad. This movie really plays with your emotions, but this movie isn't about the basketball team at all, it's about the thrive and healing of a depressed alcoholic. It's about regaining hope in life and finding something better than himself. Which is basketball. One of the funny things about this movie is that it's a Christian school and the players and coach use the worst language possible and sexual innuendos, I found that really funny. I don't really have any problems with the movie.
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Gejoe posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
The Way Back is a film directed by Gavin O'Connor that stars Ben Affleck as a man who is suffering due to a rough past but finds a shot at redemption at his high school as a basketball coach of his old highschool basketball team. Ben Affleck is back ladies and gentlemen and as a matter of fact, he's out here giving the performance of his career buoyed by his own personal descent into alcoholism and ultimately finding his way back to sobriety. I could honestly write an entire paragraph about his performance, it was magnetic. Speaking of magnetism, The Way Back's strongest points are found when the games are at their most intense and Affleck is directing his players and teaching them ways to improve their games. However, aside from these two incredible strengths, the first two acts of the film still feel like the typical formulaic sports drama with supporting characters not given too much thought.
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Lime posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
Ben Affleck puts a on compelling performance of a man battling his demons and despite basketball managing to bring some happiness into his life, he can never trully heal his scars. Considering how difficult it is to get creative with sports movies, through its narrative, this film manages to put its own touch which will make basketball fans enjoy the grit, realism and attitude towards the game. Music deserves a separate mention as it adds impact to the dramatic nature of the film.
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Babu posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
The outstanding screenplay comes from Brad Ingelsby and with director O'Connor and the cast, the film has a throwback to the 70's feel gritty and realistic. This is not the smirking, strutting stud we are accustomed to seeing with Affleck. He seems immersed in the role and brings an understanding to the struggles, the rehab, and the importance of a support system. Redemption played a huge part in the classic HOOSIERS (1986) and most every other rag-tag sports team in movies, and THE WAY BACK shows us there really is no going back, instead, we must deal with life in order to move on.
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Ram posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
I have to say I really enjoyed this film. Affleck turns in possibly his greatest acting performance yet. The sports aspect was very well done but the emotional moments make the film. Definitely some hard scenes to watch at times. I think just as a basketball film it's quite solid, but the dramatic elements turn this into a great film. Highly recommend it.
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Loki posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
The Way Back is a movie that is quite enjoyable especially if you are a fan of sports movies and love basketball. Ben Affleck gives a strong performance which feels very personal to him. This element heightens the film even more, it has a lot of things that you would find in the sports genre such as: Motivational scenes which make you feel good and make you want to support the characters. It doesn't oversimplify the game of basketball as well, the way they use strategies and plays feel like something you would actually see in a huddle of a high school basketball game and as a former assistant coach for a school basketball team I found that to be a really cool element. The way it handles the drama aspects outside of basketball and the real reason as to why the character is an alcoholic I found to be quite compelling and it felt quite emotional at times.
- Acting, Direction, Story, Visuals
- 0
- 0
Niki posted a review for The Way Back in Movies
I truly enjoyed watching this film. It’s much more about the journey of a man whose seen it all. Anyone who is expecting a Hoosiers style experience should stay home. This movie is much more about the trials and tribulations of a man who is trying to cope. Would recommend to anyone who has seen first hand what stress and pressure can do to someones mental stability.
- Acting, Direction, Story, Visuals
- 0
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