Watch Brampton's Own

Brampton's Own is a 2018 romantic drama film directed by Michael Doneger and starring Alex Russell, Rose McIver, and Jean Smart. The movie follows Dustin Kimmel, a former baseball player who returns to his hometown Brampton, after playing for several years in the minor leagues. He now works at a grocery store and is struggling to figure out his next move in life.

Dustin is a young man who is upset about the way his life has turned out. He feels like he could have done more with his baseball career but passion and luck did not go his way. However, he keeps his passion for baseball alive by coaching and taking care of the same Little League team he used to play for. His ex-girlfriend Rachel, also a Brampton native, is a speech therapist who is engaged to someone else. Despite this, she still has feelings for Dustin and the two try to rekindle their flame while keeping their distance because of her current engagement.

The film does an excellent job of showcasing the small town feel of Brampton. The community comes together to support their Little League team and Dustin's return brings attention and excitement to the town. Dustin is shown to be a well-liked figure in his town, with people greeting him warmly and asking for autographs. As he is now a "loser", it is a bittersweet feeling for him.

Both Alex Russell and Rose McIver deliver enduring performances in their respective roles. Alex Russell perfectly captures the disillusioned yet hopeful attitude of Dustin, a man who has been given a second chance at life in his hometown. He portrays Dustin's internal struggle of failures and hardships with heart and nuance throughout the movie. Rose McIver shines as Rachel, beautifully channeling the inner turmoil of a woman torn between loyalty and love.

Jean Smart is wonderful as the pragmatic mother of Dustin, who speaks from experience and knows the difficulty of returning back to a hometown after struggling outside. She provides moments of humor, warmth and reassurance when Dustin is feeling down.

The romantic aspects of the story are delicately handled, with the focus always remaining on the characters' individual growth and development. The relationship between Dustin and Rachel is nuanced, with both characters working through their emotions in a mature and introspective way.

The film's pacing is also well done, never feeling slow or dragging. Even scenes that don't further the plot are enjoyable to watch, such as the scenes of the baseball games where Dustin coaches the kids. The movie has a strong focus on character development, and the slower moments give the characters and the audience time to breathe and reflect.

Overall, Brampton's Own is a touching and thoughtful story of a man returning to his roots in search of purpose and redemption. The movie manages to be both melancholic and uplifting as it explores what it means to come home and start anew. It is a heartwarming and emotionally resonant movie that is not to be missed.

Brampton's Own is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.