The director of the new sports drama The Way Back says he views basketball as a metaphor for life – or as he calls it, “life in shorts.”
Each has trials. Each has triumphs. And each has moments when you want to give up.
“Destiny, faith, emotion, adversity – there are all things that happen in basketball and also happen in life,” director Gavin O’Connor told Christian Headlines.
The Way Back (R) tells the story of Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck), a man who is battling alcoholism when he is given a second chance in life by coaching his alma mater, the local Catholic high school where he formerly was a star player.
Cunningham’s alcoholism was sparked by the death of his young son – a tragedy that led him into a spiral of anger and depression.
The story has a lesson about life for moviegoers, O’Connor said.
“When you’re faced with tragedy, or even just adversity, how do you deal with it? And that’s what defines you,” O’Connor told Christian Headlines. “In a way, it’s a movie about second chances. I’m a believer in third chances, fourth chances. As long as you’re trying I’m just not a believer in shutting the door on people. It’s very much about that. It’s about a guy who was finally willing to face his demons. Adversity had kicked his butt – and trying to overcome them on the road to recovery. This is analogous to a lot of people’s lives. It doesn’t…
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