90 Feet From Home follows the life of a former major league baseball player, Scott Conway (Adam Hampton) who returns to his small, Texas hometown to confront his demons and abusive, alcoholic step-father, James Devine (WWE Hall of Famer, Shawn Michaels).
The film begins with young Scott (Chase Pollock) meeting with his school principal, William Rota (Eric Roberts) discussing the possibility of playing baseball that summer. Scott is not thrilled with the Mr. Rota referring to James as his father and quickly corrects him. After their brief, Scott hops in James’ pick-up and is chastised into showing him respect as he is continuously threatened by his step-father. For his disrespect, Scott takes yet another beating by James in the truck, this already on top of the broken ribs he suffered earlier in the school year.
James’ abuse doesn’t just stop at Scott or his brother Tommy (the younger, Jaren Lewison and the elder, Thom Hallum), he also beats on their terrified mother, Emily Devine (Heather Williams). James even threatens Mr. Rota who tries to help after confronting the couple because of Scott’s bruising.
The beatings only drive Scott to excel at baseball, giving him the opportunity to leave home. Even with all the praise from the recruits, James still cuts Scott down trying to keep the young man under his thumb, but Scott manages to leave everything behind, except all his hate anger and soon, an addiction.
90 Feet From Home is only Pollock’s second feature film and the young actor has a lot of potential for the future. Hampton’s elder Scott, is a man who never sought after help of professional and his suppressed rage that is only medicated by booze is rough to watch, even after he takes a job as a ranch hand following the end of his baseball career.
Michaels, who has been a heel for most of his professional wrestling career since 1992, has been never been as bad as his character James. Even after his character gets sober and finds religion, the two have difficult in making peace with each other.
Even Dean Cain’s Raymond Fuller is a cautionary character that warns about
90 Feet From Home at its core is a film that tries to seek retribution, peace and coming to terms with one’s past that shaped their present. Forgiveness is something that James’ character hopes for, but Scott has trouble in showing him mercy after James nearly ended his career before it started.
90 Feet From Home screens on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 8:00 p.m.
Tobin Center
Alvarez Studio at 100 Auditorium Cir
San Antonio, TX, US, 78205
- Overall Score
Summary
90 Feet From Home is a story of letting go of the past in order to heal for the possibility of a better future. Only sometimes forgiveness is harder than seeking redemption.
How much are tickets and do I need them in advance? We are going. I am sure this movie deserves 5 stars and is a must see!