After reluctantly agreeing to coach cross-country, high school basketball Coach John Harrison helps the least likely runner attempt the impossible in the biggest race of the year.
Credits: TheMovieDb.
Film Cast:
- John Harrison: Alex Kendrick
- Olivia Brooks: Priscilla C. Shirer
- Thomas Hill: Cameron Arnett
- Amy Harrison: Shari Rigby
- Javon: Aryn Wright-Thompson
- Barbara Scott: Denise Armstrong
- Ethan Harrison: Jack Sterner
- Will Harrison: Caleb Kendrick
- Jeff Baker / Basketball Player / Referee: Joshua Kendrick
- Knight’s Coach: Chuck Hasty
- Keith Wright: Joseph Curtis Callender
- TV Anchor: Phil Scoggins
- Ashley Graham: Ashley Garrett
- Company Rep: Steve Hullfish
- Evan: Matthew Kendrick
- David: Ty Benham
- Basketball Player: Philip Adams
- Basketball Player: Malcolm Johnson
- Elizabeth / Cross-Country Runner: Anna Elizabeth Kendrick
- Neil Hatcher: Trey Reynolds
- Pastor Mark: Bruce Marchiano
- Nurse Kathryn: Micah Lynn Hanson
- Troy Finkle: Myke Holmes
- Bonnie Reese: Rebecca Koon
- Wesley Ford: Jared Staley
- Ken Jones: Kendrick Cross
- Ty Jones / Basketball Player / Referee: Isaiah Coleman
- Mitch: Dave Blamy
- Starter: Stephen Kendrick
- Gina Mimms: Diamond Morgan
- Nurse Rose: Tina Witherby
- Truxton: Elijah B. Moore
- Cindy Hatcher (as Holly Morris): Holly Morris
- Gene Andrews: Scotty Curlee
- Coach Karen: Karen Boles
- Coach Paul: Cecil Cheves
- Trinity’s Coach: Heather Whatley
- Coach Riles: Jason Baruch
- Coach Drake: Adam Drake
- Coach Myers: Ben Davies
- Announcer: Joe Ballew
- Paramedic: Danyelle Monson
- Paramedic: William Young
- Funeral Pastor: Reggie Williams
- Jimmy: Les Best
- Beka / Cross-Country Runner: Catherine Kendrick
- Robert: Cohen Kendrick
- Mrs. Charles: Elizabeth Becka
- Company Rep: Sam Beman
- Businessman: Robert Thompson
- Basketball Player / Referee: Grant Davidson
- Trae: Christian Gabriel Anderson
Film Crew:
- Writer: Alex Kendrick
- Director of Photography: Bob Scott
- Writer: Stephen Kendrick
- Costume Design: Anna Redmon
- Original Music Composer: Paul Mills
- Editor: Steve Hullfish
- Casting Director: Kimberly Helms Stewart
- Producer: Justin Tolley
- Producer: Aaron Burns
- Editor: Bill Ebel
Movie Reviews:
- Wuchak: ***WHO are you? (And I don’t mean your occupation or marital status)***
A basketball coach at a Georgia Christian school (Alex Kendrick) is devastated when the local factory shuts down and the school loses half its students, along with a decrease in pay for him and his wife, who also works at the school (Shari Rigby). The principal appoints him to coach the cross-country running team, which consists of ONE girl with asthma (Aryn Wright-Thompson) who lives with her grandmother.
“Overcomer” (2019) is a Christian-themed drama from the maker of “War Room” (2015), one of the most inspiring films ever made and a surprise hit at the box office, which ain’t bad for an indie that only cost $3 million. This one cost $2 million more, but isn’t nearly as potent. Yet it’s still a solid drama with some poignant Christian-themed points that smack of real life. I could relate to several of the points, e.g. feeling like your life was a mistake and the negative fallout of an absent or distant father.
Some other themes are effectively driven home, like: the importance of the relationship of husband & wife to the health of a home; it’s never too late for redemption; the power of the repentance/forgiveness dynamic; and how easy it is to fall into the pretense of Christian religion, i.e. spiritual hypocrisy. Anyone who sincerely tries to walk with the LORD will relate to these kinds of elements. Meanwhile some non-Christians will likely scoff and find these aspects fake (they couldn’t be more wrong).
Sure, some of the acting of peripherals might not be of blockbuster caliber, but that’s par for the course in these kinds of indie flicks. But the performances of the main adult players are fine. Speaking of which, Cameron Arnett is outstanding as the blind hospital patient and mentor on long-distance running. Was the coach’s chance meeting with him an eye-rolling coincidence or a divinely-orchestrated encounter?
The film runs 1 hour, 59 minutes, and was shot in Columbus & Albany, Georgia, with shots of Nashville.
GRADE: B
- my_skeleton_fell_off: **Overcomes the “cheesy Christian film” barrier**
Very few films these days are as special as this one. Kendrick gives Christians a story that is almost sure to bring tears of joy.
The quality of Kendrick’s films has improved steadily. Looking forward to more – especially those with creative scripts like this one.