Touchback (2011)
Rated PG-13
Starring Brian Presley, Kurt Russell, Melanie Lynskey, Christine Lahti, Marc Blucas, Sarah Wright
Written and Directed by Don Handfield
The Story:
Scott (Presley) was a lock for college football greatness and possibly beyond. It all came crashing down 15 years earlier on the last play of a the championship game when his leg was shattered. Now, struggling to make ends meet as a farmer, he's refusing to acknowledge what used to be because of how painful it is. He then makes the realization that he's worth more to his wife (Lynsky) and children dead than alive, and decides to take fate into his own hands. However, he awakens to find himself with another shot at making his life different, 15 years earlier. All he has to do is not get hurt in the game and his future is set.
Of course he then begins to realize that his new future may not include his wife and he sets out on a course to win her over before the big game.
Add equal parts It's A Wonderful Life, The Family Man and Mr. Destiny with a touch of football, and you've got Touchback.
As I mention in the title, I'm a sucker for these kinds of movies.
No matter how bad your life may seem, for the friends and family around you, you're pretty darn awesome and they wouldn't want their lives to not have you in it.
That's a pretty good message, and I'm glad that filmmakers pick up this theme and run with it every so often.
I'm rarely disappointed in their efforts, and this movie proves to be no exception.
While fame and prosperity sound great on paper, to do so at the cost of love makes the trade-off seem pretty steep.
Needless to say, I had a pretty good time with the film, and it's officially in the running for best of the year honors.
Not bad at all.
Final Grade: B+
