Watch Fall Away

Fall Away is a 2011 coming-of-age drama film directed by Michael David Trozzo. The movie follows the journey of a high school senior named Chris, played by Grant Stokes, who is struggling to find his place in the world. Chris is a talented football player, but he is also dealing with a lot of personal issues. His father is an alcoholic, his mother is absent, and his girlfriend is cheating on him. In addition to these problems, Chris is trying to cope with the recent death of his best friend, Jake, played by Nathanael Card.

The film opens with Chris at Jake's funeral, where he is asked to say a few words. Chris struggles to find the right words to express his grief and frustration over his friend's untimely death. Through a series of flashbacks, we see the close bond that Chris and Jake shared. They spent countless hours together playing football, hanging out, and dreaming about their future. Jake was the one person who understood Chris completely, and his absence has left a huge void in Chris's life.

As the movie progresses, we see Chris's life spiraling out of control. He is failing his classes, getting into fights with his teammates, and alienating his girlfriend. Coach Turner, played by Erinn Strain, tries to help Chris get back on track by offering him extra practice sessions and academic tutoring. However, Chris is too consumed by his grief and anger to accept help from anyone.

One of the underlying themes of the movie is the pressure that young athletes face to perform at a high level. Chris is a talented football player, but he feels like he is constantly under the microscope. His coaches, teammates, and even his father all expect him to be a star on the field. This pressure leads Chris to make some reckless decisions, such as drinking and driving and getting into fights with his teammates. He feels like he is stuck in a cycle of self-destruction and can't find a way out.

Another theme of the movie is the importance of friendship and support. Chris feels alone and isolated after Jake's death, but he eventually realizes that he has people in his life who care about him. His girlfriend, Emily, played by Kesha Esquivel, tries to be there for him, even though he pushes her away. Coach Turner shows patience and kindness towards Chris, even when he is difficult to deal with. And Chris's father, played by Brian Vaughan, eventually steps up and tries to be a better parent.

Overall, Fall Away is a moving and authentic look at the struggles that young people face as they try to navigate adolescence. The movie does not shy away from difficult topics like grief, addiction, and mental health issues. Instead, it confronts these issues head-on, showing the real-life consequences of neglecting them. The performances from the cast are sincere and heartfelt, particularly Grant Stokes as Chris. He portrays the character's emotional turmoil and inner conflicts with impressive depth and nuance.

In summary, Fall Away is a must-see movie for anyone who has experienced loss or felt like they didn't belong. It is a poignant reminder that help and support are available, even in the darkest of times. The film is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of friendship and love.

Fall Away is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.