The Way Back (2020) is an emotional sports drama directed by Gavin O’Connor and starring Ben Affleck in one of the most personal and raw performances of his career. The film explores themes of addiction, grief, redemption, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild a broken life.
Detailed Summary
Introduction: Jack Cunningham’s Downfall
Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck) is a once-promising high school basketball star whose life has spiraled downward into alcoholism and depression. Once offered a full college scholarship, Jack abandoned basketball for reasons that become clear as the film unfolds. He now works in construction, living alone, drinking heavily every night, and isolating himself from family and friends.
The Coaching Offer
One day, Jack’s old Catholic high school reaches out to him. The school’s basketball coach has had a heart attack, and they need someone to step in for the season. Jack is reluctant but eventually agrees, seeing it as a way to fill his empty routine. This marks the beginning of his slow, painful journey toward rediscovering purpose.
Building the Team
The team Jack inherits is undisciplined and lacks confidence. Through tough love and raw honesty, he teaches them to play as a unit, emphasizing effort and integrity over winning. His unorthodox methods—swearing, fiery pep talks, and breaking a few rules—cause friction with the school’s priest and administration. But despite his flaws, the players respond to him.
As the team improves, Jack begins to change too. Coaching awakens the leader he once was, giving him something to care about besides alcohol.
Jack’s Tragic Past
Midway through the film, we learn the heartbreaking reason for Jack’s collapse: his young son died from cancer, and the loss destroyed his marriage and his will to live. His drinking became a coping mechanism that slowly consumed him. This revelation recontextualizes his behavior—his anger, isolation, and guilt all stem from unbearable grief.
The Turning Point
The team begins to rise in the league, pulling off surprising wins. Jack’s connection to the players deepens, especially with Brandon, the quiet team captain who mirrors Jack’s younger self. Their relationship becomes the emotional heart of the film.
But just when things seem to improve, Jack’s drinking returns. Haunted by memories of his son and unable to face his ex-wife, he falls back into self-destruction.
Movie Ending
In the final act, Jack’s drinking spirals out of control. After showing up late and hungover to a game, he’s fired from the coaching job. Later, drunk and disoriented, he breaks into his ex-wife’s home, mistaking it for a place of safety. The incident pushes him to confront his addiction.
Jack finally enters rehabilitation, committing to sobriety and acknowledging his pain instead of drowning it. Meanwhile, the basketball team—now playing without him—advances to the state playoffs. We don’t see whether they win or lose, because the film’s real victory is Jack’s decision to reclaim his life.
The movie closes with Jack alone on a seaside court, shooting basketballs under the sun. It’s a quiet, symbolic ending: he’s still working on himself, step by step, finding peace in the simple act of playing the game he once loved.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Way Back does not have any post-credits scenes. The story concludes firmly with Jack’s emotional recovery moment on the beach.
Type of Movie
This is a sports drama and character study, deeply rooted in realism. It’s less about basketball and more about the internal battle of addiction and redemption.
Cast
- Ben Affleck as Jack Cunningham
- Al Madrigal as Dan, the assistant coach
- Janina Gavankar as Angela, Jack’s ex-wife
- Michaela Watkins as Beth, Jack’s sister
- Glynn Turman as Father Mark Whelan
- Melvin Gregg, Brandon Wilson, and Will Ropp as team players
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Rob Simonsen, whose music blends subtle piano and ambient tones to mirror the film’s emotional journey. It’s understated but powerful, supporting moments of pain, hope, and self-redemption.
Filming Locations
The movie was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, California. Many scenes were shot in real schools and neighborhoods, giving the film a grounded, authentic feel. The use of modest gymnasiums, suburban homes, and local bars highlights Jack’s trapped existence and his journey toward normalcy rather than grandeur.
Awards and Nominations
- Ben Affleck received widespread critical praise for his performance, seen as a reflection of his own struggles with alcoholism.
- The film was nominated for several critics’ awards, including Best Actor nominations for Affleck from various film associations.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Ben Affleck has openly discussed how this role paralleled his real-life battle with addiction. He described it as “the most personal film of my career.”
- Director Gavin O’Connor (who also made Warrior) delayed production until Affleck was ready to fully commit after rehab.
- Most of the basketball sequences were shot with real high school players rather than actors.
- Many scenes were improvised to capture raw emotion, especially between Affleck and the younger cast members.
Inspirations and References
The film isn’t based on a specific true story, but it draws heavily from real-life struggles with addiction and redemption. It also shares emotional DNA with O’Connor’s earlier sports dramas like Miracle and Warrior.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Some deleted scenes show Jack’s continued struggle with sobriety and a more extended reconciliation scene with his ex-wife. These were cut for pacing and to preserve the film’s open-ended tone.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The Way Back is an original screenplay written by Brad Ingelsby, not based on a book. However, its structure and tone resemble classic redemption stories found in sports literature.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Jack’s first day coaching, awkwardly trying to connect with his team.
- The revelation of his son’s death, delivered through subtle flashbacks.
- The emotional confrontation between Jack and his ex-wife about their shared loss.
- Jack’s final moment shooting hoops by the ocean—quiet, hopeful, and deeply symbolic.
Iconic Quotes
- Jack: “I spent a lot of years hurting myself for no good reason.”
- Father Whelan: “We can’t change the past, Jack. But we can choose what we do next.”
- Jack (to his team): “You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep fighting.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The school name, “Bishop Hayes High,” is a nod to director Gavin O’Connor’s Catholic upbringing.
- The number 22 on Jack’s team uniform is the same number he wore in his fictional high school days, shown in flashbacks.
- The closing beach scene mirrors the opening bar scene—Jack alone—but now with light and space instead of darkness and confinement.
Trivia
- Ben Affleck entered rehab shortly before production, and many of the film’s scenes were shot soon after he completed treatment.
- Affleck’s performance was praised by critics as one of his most authentic.
- The film was initially set for a wider theatrical release but was cut short due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, later moving to digital platforms.
Why Watch?
Because The Way Back is not just a sports movie—it’s a story about redemption, pain, and the long road to healing. It’s a rare Hollywood film that treats addiction with honesty and compassion. Ben Affleck’s performance alone makes it worth watching, offering an emotional sincerity that lingers long after the credits roll.
Director’s Other Movies
- Warrior (2011)
- Miracle (2004)
- Pride and Glory (2008)
- Jane Got a Gun (2015)
