Home Run: Movie Review

Another baseball movie flies into theaters this weekend. Unlike last week's No. 1 box office release, the Jackie Robinson movie titled 42, this new movie, Home Run, is a faith-based film about overcoming addiction and receiving God's grace. 

A well-rounded cast and crew lend their talents to this small-town feeling movie. Parents should know that Home Run's lead character spends a lot of time drinking alcohol and getting violently angry. Though this might be too much for young children, Home Run offers a solid movie experience for older children, teens and adults.

THE MOVIE IN A MINUTE

Cory's professional baseball career is put on hold when his alcoholism gets the best of him. In trouble with the law and his team, Cory's agent convinces him to use his 8-week suspension as time he can focus on getting sober with the help of a 12-step program. Circumstances lead him to settle in his hometown, where he's roped into being a little league coach.

THE GOOD AND BAD IN HOME RUN

Set in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Home Run definitely has a Middle America feel to it. Doing right by God and family is of the utmost importance to everyone, except Cory Brand. Faith comes into play when the down-and-out baseball star attends Celebrate Recovery meetings at the local church. There he's exposed to the personal stories of community members who are all in varying stages of recovery. Home Run is unapologetic about bringing up these issues and its message is as plain as day – faith in Jesus Christ matched with a daily commitment to sobering up is the best way to beat addiction.

Actor Scott Elrod (Argo, The Switch) fills in as baseballer Cory Brand. Elrod plays the role well, with a needed drama that really engages you into the story. Home Run also features Dorian Brown as an old girlfriend of Cory's and Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day) as Cory's agent. Though this film has its weaknesses, Christian audiences will appreciate its full-on faith message. Home Run achieves what the producers set out to do--offer hope to those stuck in addiction.

IN THE END

Does Home Run hit it out of the park? Not quite. But, Home Run is a great family film with an especially important message that freedom from addiction is attainable through the grace and courage we find in Christ.