Home Run

Mark your calendars for April 19 when this remarkable film hits theaters nationwide . . .

Home Run
Starring Scott Elrod, Dorian Brown
In theaters April 19, Rated PG
Run time: 113 min

Being somewhat of a film connoisseur, I am rarely surprised by movies these days. Action films have predictable plots, comedies have typical crude humor, dramas are often overacted, and Christian films tend to be preachy and cheaply produced.

So when I was invited to a press screening of a  faith-based drama called Home Run, I expected much of the same — preachy, overacted and terrible production. Instead, I found a richly produced, brilliantly acted drama with charm, wit and power.

The story focuses on all-star baseball player Cory Brand (Elrod) who has what it takes to win in the majors. But off the field, childhood memories haunt him, causing his life to spiral out of control.

Hoping to save her client’s career and reputation after a DUI and suspension, Brand’s agent sends him back to the small Oklahoma town where he grew up. Forced to coach the local youth baseball team and spend eight weeks in the town’s only recovery program, Brand can’t wait to return to his old life as quickly as possible. As his young players help him experience the joy of the game, Brand accepts his need to find freedom from his past and hope for his future — and win back the love he left behind. With this unexpected second chance, Brand finds himself on a powerful journey of transformation and redemption.

While the romance aspect of Home Run is rather predictable, the film’s writers nicely pace Brand’s transformation. Elrod delivers a brilliant and believable performance, taking his character to a deeper level than we’re used to seeing in most Christian films. So it’s not surprising that the film won the Best Feature Film and Best Inspirational Film categories of the Resonate Film Festival last year.

Home Run proves that Christian films are not what they used to be. It’s in the same league as Bella, October Baby and For Greater Glory. It may sound a bit clichéd, but not only is Home Run a winner, this film really hits it out of the park.

Trailer. Official website.

PATRICK NOVECOSKY is Legatus magazine’s editor-in-chief.