Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Athlete learns what's important in alcoholism drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Home Run
What's the Story?
In HOME RUN, Cory (Scott Elrod) is a pro baseball player with a raging drinking problem. After a drunk-driving accident that leaves his brother injured, Cory is forced to take over coaching his sibling's Little League team. Cory also reconnects with the son he abandoned as a baby and slowly starts to realize the toll that his drinking has taken on him, on his career, and on the people around him.
Is It Any Good?
Home Run is a worthy entry in the often-predictable -- but still moving -- category of addiction/recovery films. Cory starts out as a selfish drunk who soothes his pain with liquor and doesn't care about other people. He doesn't want to coach kids, and he doesn't want to go to a 12-step program, but it's that or lose his job as pro baseball player. When he's forced to connect to real people, including the son he barely knows and the old girlfriend he left behind, Cory slowly begins to learn about his addiction.
It's not really a spoiler to say that there's a happy ending with a now-sober Cory embracing a new life. But getting there is a mostly satisfying experience. The film is well-paced, with solid acting and not too much preachiness (a common experience in recovery movies). And it doesn't make it seem like getting clean is easy or without barriers. Home Run isn't a surprising film, but it is enjoyable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Home Run portrays drinking/alcoholism. Do you think it's realistic? Can you think of other movies/TV shows that have dealt with this topic? How is this one similar/different?
What do you think about the choices Cory makes, including abandoning a child and choosing alcohol over other important things? How do these choices affect his life? How did his own childhood affect him?
What role does faith play in the movie? How does that impact its messages and audience?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 19, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : October 8, 2013
- Cast : Charles Henry Wyson , Dorian Brown , Scott Elrod
- Director : David Boyd
- Studio : Provident Films
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some mature thematic material
- Last updated : March 13, 2020
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