saftey
This heartfelt, sports drama is based on the story of Ray McElrathbey, a college freshman accepted to Clemson University under a football scholarship who quickly finds himself torn between the demands of school, college football and his struggling family back home. A serious student and dedicated ball player, Ray discovers his younger brother back at home is living in dangerous circumstances and hides him in his dorm room. A decision that goes against every school policy at Clemson.
Jay Reeves is charismatic as Ray creating a wholesome likable hero that you can’t help but cheer for on and off the field. Who wouldn’t want a brother like him? Thaddeus J. Mixson as his little brother, Fahmarr, has just the right mix of street-smarts mixed with emotionally availability to make him both approachable and believable which is not an easy combination to capture. Corinne Fox manages to elevate her traditional “love interest” role into something more interesting and independent. What’s refreshing about Kaycee is that she is interested in Ray, but values herself as a person enough to make him earn her respect even when it is inconvenient for him to put in that kind of effort. She holds out for him to treat her right, and he is happy to do so. It makes for a wonderfully healthy relationship that easily stands the trials ahead.
Hats off to writers, Randy McKinnon and Nick Santora for dodging clichés throughout this film. They managed to construct a compelling story without any traditional villains. Even Miles Burris’, Keller, a bully of sorts, quickly changes becoming a friend and supporter to Ray. The real “bad guy” in this story are the sports programs at these large universities who are pulling young people out of hard home lives with the assumption that they have the same privileges and needs as everyone else. These assumptions weigh down our hero forcing him to choose between his dream of being the first young man from his family to go to college and caring for his younger brother and protecting him from the dangers of the streets. In another writing achievement, the role of Tonya, beautifully played by Amanda Warren, sidesteps the stereotypical caricature of the monstrous drug addicted mom and replaces her with a suffering woman heartbroken over her inability to keep her life together. The effect is heartbreaking and real in its human struggle.
This isn’t academy award winning material. Reeves gets a little facial and cartoonish at times and the football stadium scenes feel a little too much like a “green screen” fiesta, but it is a powerful story of love and brotherhood between blood brothers and a new found campus family. It feature a community as its best, and that is a message we can’t get enough of in these times. It is heartfelt and successful in its tender moments and fun in its lighter scenes. A definite winner for the entire family to enjoy.
Written by David Alford
Score 90 out of 100
Parents; Yes!
Teens: Yes!
Children: Yes!
Tots: Sure, why not!
