MAYER WAKEFIELD is entertained but let down by an audacious production that, sadly, doesn't ring true
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Film round-up: July 10, 2020
The Star's critics review Finding the Way Back, Black Water: Abyss, SCOOB!, Love Sarah, The Beach House, Spaceship Earth
MARY CONWAY is disappointed by drama that, despite accomplished performances, cannot overcome an unfocused script
New releases from Sam Carter, Spell Songs and Les Thomas
KEN COCKBURN traces the one original language – that of the Yamnaya pastoral nomads – from which all European and Indian languages derive
PAUL DONOVAN is fascinated by the debunking of the iconic British war hero
ALEX HALL recommends a searing panorama of our global predicament
Finding The Way Back (15)
Directed by Gavin O’Connor
★★★
LOSS, forgiveness and a shot at redemption are the dominant themes in this slow-burning but captivating sports drama about an alcoholic basketball coach who is asked to perform miracles with a school team which is on a permanent losing streak.
Ben Affleck plays former high-school basketball phenomenon Jack Cunningham who, having ruined his marriage due to his love of the bottle, is on the verge of hitting rock bottom. But when he receives a call from his alma mater to coach the school team which hasn’t experienced victory since Jack’s glory days, the question is: can Jack finally redeem himself?
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KEVIN DONNELLY and MARIA DUARTE review Shoot the People, The Last One For The Road, Rosebush Pruning, and Moana