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Touchback2011 | 118 min | PG-13 | 1.85:1
The premise of a life relived is a favorite one for filmmakers. It’s a tempting fantasy, allowing viewers a chance to reconsider their personal choices through the experience of the lead characters, losing themselves in significant displays of nostalgia and perspective. Think “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “Peggy Sue Got Married,” two features extracting an ideal amount of wonder and misery from their oddball presentations of askew time travel. “Touchback” isn’t quite as polished or deep, but it retains a sizable heart and commitment to a theme of appreciation, providing those who enjoy slightly hokier entertainment with a warm viewing event that’s predictable yet engaging. 
A former football hero trapped in small town Ohio, Scott (Brian Presley) watched his gridiron ambition flatline when he was injured during senior year play, killing his chances to continue on to a prosperous college career. Two decades later, Scott is a farmer facing foreclosure, unable to break the news to loving wife Macy (Melanie Lynskey) and their two kids. Overwhelmed by frustration and disappointment with his life, Scott chooses suicide. Passing out after commencing carbon monoxide poisoning in his truck, Scott awakens in 1991, finding himself back in high school, reliving the week before his fateful game. Bewildered yet giddy, Scott attempts to rewrite history, trusting stern but caring Coach Hand (Kurt Russell) while attempting to connect with his overworked mother, Thelma (Christine Lahti). Focused on surviving the big game and achieving his NFL dreams, Scott is hopelessly drawn to Macy once again, with the gawky band member stunned to find the popular quarterback interested in her. “Touchback” isn’t profound, but it displays sincerity and sustains an interest in developing characters with some sense of soul to them, giving scenes of wrenching awareness a palpable grip. The movie is also surprisingly patient, as writer/director Don Handfield takes nearly 30 minutes to arrive at the 1991 reentry. That’s a half hour devoted to establishing Scott’s monetary woes, his football calamity, and his tiny community, a place the character equates to a prison in the opening act. The pace is deliberate, getting the viewer acclimated to a tone of woe, with the beer-bellied farmer facing unimaginable humiliation with the return of football star Hall (Marc Blucas), his former friend and high school teammate, now a millionaire with Scott’s old girlfriend (Sarah Wright) as his wife. While the elements call for slushy melodrama, Handfield plays the mounting depression with stillness, allowing Presley to articulate his character’s losing battle with hope through thousand-yard stares. 
Once “Touchback” returns to 1991, the mood lightens, but only in spurts, most concerning Scott’s confusion with this magical trip, confronted with the high school experience all over again. Granted, nobody in this cast is even remotely believable as their younger self (Lynskey comes the closest), but the emotions are genuine, finding the quarterback nearing euphoria now back in command of his fate. Adding a touch of class to the picture is Russell, stealing scenes as an honorable authority figure for Scott, comfortably portraying a leadership role on the field that bends to companionship between games. Russell also brings needed conviction to the movie, his first since 2007’s “Grindhouse.” He’s been missed. Also bringing crucial vulnerability to “Touchback” is Lynskey, making the most out of a submissive role. The best parts of the 1991 daydream are found in Macy’s uneasiness around Scott, failing to understand why a jock and conformed creep would suddenly demand to spend so much time with her. The relationship is strange, but in a pleasing manner, maintaining the disorientation as Scott attempts to direct his own life back to where it once was. A subplot with Thelma and her blue-collar suppression of emotions doesn’t carry the same feeling, but remains a welcome dimension to Scott’s excellent adventure back in time. 
Football eats away much of the final act in “Touchback,” offering fans an extended Big Game finale that goes on a little too long. More interesting is a feel for small town interactions, with Scott coming to understand how important his community is to his life, watching as declarations of escape cut his loved ones like a knife. Handfield treats the Midwest experience respectfully, adding a little Frank Capra spin to make the landing stick. Although football is king in “Touchback,” the minor beats of location and communication carry greater importance and charm. “Touchback” is derivative, aimed at audiences who normally gravitate to this type of heartwarming material. It’s flawed but amiable, leading with its heart to tell a simple tale of refreshed consciousness, blended with a little touch of fantasy to give the material a comforting lift. Starring: Brian Presley, Kurt Russell, Melanie Lynskey, Marc Blucas, Christine Lahti Director: Don Handfield » See full cast & crew |
 
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