Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck) was a high school basketball star who walked away from the sport. Now an alcoholic harbouring his own personal pain he is offered a chance at redemption when his old High School offer him the job of coaching their team.

When we meet Jack we see alcohol invades his every waking moment. He drinks in the shower, when driving and when working. Hiding his drinks in other drink receptacles he is a functioning alcoholic in the day and gets blind drunk at night. When he is offered the role of basketball coach he initially baulks at the idea but it offers him a focus. Something that can take his mind from the personal pain that has led him to this.

As the story unfolds we get to see Jack working with his young team as his personal demons are revealed to us. The act of turning the team’s fortunes around also bleeds into Jack’s life. But in this story it is not quite that simple. The moment where most “inspiring coach” sports movies fade to black is not the end here, because substance abuse problems do not magically disappear when the last minute buzzer beater drops through the net and this is one of the reasons The Way Back is such a good example of this genre. Jack has more work to do to find retribution but there is hope.

The whole film is held together by Affleck’s performance. One that must have been tough for him to deliver given his own personal demons with alcoholism. Perhaps it was cathartic as well? Either way what we see on screen is incredibly powerful and resonates strongly. And this powerful performance is supplemented really well with a rousing score that adds weight and gravitas.

This is a must watch for any sports movie fans but it is also a powerful drama for those that may be put off by the sports motif.