Ben Affleck Experiences Redemption, Grace in ‘The Way Back’

Last updated on: March 5, 2020 at 4:25 pm by DeWayne Hamby

Ben Affleck Experiences Redemption, Grace in ‘The Way Back’ 2020-03-05T16:25:00-04:00 DeWayne Hamby

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

As its title suggests, “The Way Back,” the new film starring Ben Affleck and directed by Gavin O’Connor (“The Accountant,” “Warrior”) throws a badly-needed lifeline its main character. Initially, especially in trailers, it seems to refer to a basketball team turning around its losing streak, but it’s actually a gritty, personal story of grace, hope, and second chances.

Ben Affleck stars in “The Way Back,” releasing March 6. Image courtesy of Warner Bros.

Jack Cunningham (Affleck) is a burned-out former player who returns to coach at his Catholic high school at the invitation of its principal. As the film opens, he’s a shell of a man, wrecked by personal tragedy and marred by addiction. He’s chosen for the job because of his legacy; his name is proudly displayed in a banner on the wall. But there are other forces at work, opening Jack up to promise and purpose. As he steps in to help the team turn their losing streak around, he continues to struggle with his own alcohol addiction, but this time with a new reason to attempt to overcome it.

Not unlike his brother Casey’s Oscar-winning turn in “Manchester By the Sea,” Affleck gives a standout performance, carrying the weight of both pain and guilt through the story. As Jack, he gives a relatable, human face to a figure whose choices wrecked the lives of others. His journey back is harrowing and messy. Michaela Watkins and Janina Gavankar also ground the story as two women who’ve been wrecked by Jack’s decisions while struggling to trust him again.

The basketball narrative and Jack’s players provide relief and levity from the darkness. The players, who each bring out a different side of Jack, include Kenny (Will Ropp), Brandon (Brandon Wilson), Marcus (Melvin Gregg) and Chubbs (Charles Lott, Jr.).

Although the story is inspirational, “The Way Back” is unflinching in its depiction of its protagonist and is rated R mostly for his profanity on and off the court. Church leaders, including his assistant coach Ben (Al Madrigal) ask Jack for less and at one point he says, “I’m working at it,” but it never really holds back. It’s a plot device in a convincing story of forgiveness and grace, but without its inclusion, the story might have appealed to broader audiences who embraced similar sports dramas such as “Friday Night Lights” and “Remember the Titans.”

“The Way Back,” directed by Gavin O’Connor and starring Ben Affleck, will release to theaters on Friday, March 6 from Warner Bros. Pictures.

Below, watch Ben Affleck discuss his faith during an interview with writer DeWayne Hamby.

Previous Post

February 27, 2020

Ventriloquist Darci Lynne on 'Crazy' Life, Staying Grounded After 'AGT' Win

Next Post

March 5, 2020 First Look: Tom Hanks Calls on God During Wartime in 'Greyhound'

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Comics Movies Music Plays and Musicals Podcasts Television Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 September 2015 July 2015 March 2015 November 2014 September 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 May 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 February 2012 December 2011 November 2011 August 2011 July 2011 March 2011 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 April 2006 February 2006 December 2005 October 2005 September 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 February 2005

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did God put in the sky as a sign of His promise to Noah?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A cloud A dove A rainbow A star