Jake Walker (Ryan McPartlin) left behind his small-town
lifestyle for big city pleasures and the life of an NFL pro-athlete. In high
school, he showed promise as a football star and that is the direction his
dreams took him in. His father blames him for an injury his younger son sustained
in a high school football game and ever since then, Jake has let more than
literal distance separate him from his family. When his dad (Beau Bridges)
unexpectedly falls ill, Jake’s brother Dean (Josh Braaten) calls him back home.
Once there, memories assault him – times spent playing football on the high
school field, Saturday night activities with his teenage friends… and the
hometown girl he left behind. Sarah (Katie Carr) is happiest in this place she
grew up in – she tried big-city life and it didn’t agree with her. After a
broken heart, her own dreams fell apart and now she is a teacher. Seeing each
other again was not what either of them expected.
With his contract optioned this season, and coming off an
injured knee, Jake is, for the first time in his life being questioned at what
he does best. Now with his parents counting on him, Jake must ask himself what
he really wants out of his life. Should he go after what makes him feel a sense
of satisfaction – happy… or go with common sense and return to a comfortable,
easy life with a generous two-year offer?
This is now the eighth
movie sponsored and produced by retail giant Wal-Mart and Proctor & Gamble.
You all might be a little tired of my praise and admiration for these
small-budget tele-films, but they are really quite good… and entertaining… and
thought-provoking. This one deals with skeletons in the family closest and
while the plot points can be seen a mile away, the story has something to say.
Each movie has gotten a little big stronger in that regard although I have my
favorites and aren’t as fond of some, I own about three of them and have a
couple others I liked well-enough to purchase yet.
Tackling the Past is
actually a really well-made production in the behind-the-scenes aspects; it
comes across well on the television screen and plays to our own human nature –
in short, it’s a “real” story. Filming is well-done and there are several
adorable scenes including those between Jake and newcomer Maxwell Perry Cotton.
The acting is fine (featuring a lead that actually looks like he could pass as a football player) and the script might
not be inspired by Christianity or Biblical Truth, but it is profound
nonetheless. This series of movies is actually one where the word “family”
isn’t an oxymoron – it doesn’t abuse the title. Unlike certain other
programming, this movie seems to understand the meaning of the word much better
than the majority of secular programming. I did get overly weary of the
constant blame that was laid at Jake’s doorstep. It was almost as if his entire
family saw him as the only one who was in the wrong – something that is simply
not true. Jake did play a role in the alienation between him and his family,
but he wasn’t the only one at fault. Telling an eighteen-year-old that he is no
longer a source of worthy pride and when this comes from your father, it is
going to make an impact – maybe not one that should fester for over ten years,
but still…
There is hardly anything that is second-rate about this
movie. It’s just a gem. If you’d like to see it, the only way to do so might be
through the DVD release which is now on store shelves and exclusive to Wal-Mart
stores (although small Christian book stores are now carrying these titles). As
far as I know they have only re-aired one or two of their previous titles and
the films are not available through avenues like Netflix. If you enjoyed Facing the Giants, this is one not to
miss out on.
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Oh, this sounds interesting! Maybe I can find it on youtube someday :)
ReplyDeleteThis one was really cute, Trinka! I hope you do find it. =)
ReplyDeleteGood review, Rissi. Although I'm not into these kinds of films, it does sound like a good movie.
ReplyDeleteHey, can I link your blog on mine?
Thanks, Shannon!
ReplyDeleteThis is worth a look even if it is one of those you only watch once - I just picked up a copy today at Wal*Mart and am anticipating a 2nd viewing. =)
Blog link: absolutely - that is perfectly fine by me. Thank you so much for asking - I appreciate you wanting to link to my blog. =)