The Way Back (2020)

User Review

• 

  d_riptide

  7 / 10

  After hanging up the cowl and spending about 2 and a half years away from the silver screen to build himself back up again, I can safely assume that “The Way Back” is the project that will help rejuvenate Ben Affleck and his career because as basic as this story is, he is the glue, the crutch, the that holds the ENTIRE thing together. With the intimate familiarity with the anguish and self-disgust that once dominated his life, he gives his passion and devotion to this role without hamming it in and completely overshadowing the narrative. It’s cinematography and editing are fairly solid while the pacing gradually picks up momentum, it definitely brings attention to the dangers of alcoholism and addiction and I honestly wish I could say more about the story here but the story practically speaks for itself in every which way, even going out of its way to take a few liberties and risk with the story near the later end that made me genuinely interested in where it was going to go.
  
  This seemed like it was gonna be therapeutic for Ben considering his own struggle with alcoholism and taps into that former past self of his rather beautifully. I admire actors who put themselves out there like this who know they will be torn apart and judged (playing it too close to real life; Not stretching enough; Wanting sympathy, so on and so forth). However, there comes a point in recovery when it's not about them, though, and more about wanting to help & inspire others who may be struggling with the same thing. The story and themes may be cliche, but they're cliche for a reason: Life is often a repeated series of mistakes and redemption.
  
  What more can you really do or ask for in these kind of films?

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