Overcomer : Movie Review


Watched this on Amazon Prime over the weekend. 

Overcomer is a movie which interweaves faith and running.

A high school basketball coach is facing a tough situation. Due to a certain plant shutting down, families are relocating and the boys in his team are leaving. He loses all hope and purpose. One day he gets a chance to coach a 15 year old cross country runner named Hannah. With little love for the sport, he agrees albeit reluctantly. This brief coaching stint of his results in an unexpected friendship, learning about faith and running and certain discoveries that ultimately results in a  victory.

The film largely focuses on Christianity and how certain faith and belief propels running. It also showcases cross country running and the mantra behind a win. The father's message to his daughter Hannah via the headphones gives a dose of inspiration and that surge of adrenalin rush. 

While the distance is just 5 k but his motivational words can be applicable to any distance. He talks about finding a comfortable pace in the initial part of race, telling your body about your mind being charged when it asks you to quit. When the body hits that infamous runners wall, thats the time when you think like a winner. If your legs burn, let them. 

These words resonated with me as a runner. The movie clearly stresses upon the importance of a good coach and how their words of motivation act as a magic pill. I have fortunately been blessed with good coaches and mentors who have believed in my abilities more than I did.

Overcomer turned out to be an uplifting and an endearing watch. It emphasizes how opportunities come knocking on another door when one door shuts on you. Just like how it did in the case of the basketball coach. It depicts how running brings back a certain purpose in ones life. It urges you to not to let the past burden you. Themes of forgiveness, redemption and healing are also touched upon here.

The last race especially gives you the visceral feel of actually running the entire course wth Hannah. This movie came across as a much needed feel good factor, considering that there would be no running or triathlon events this year. Watching such movies gives me the feel of actually running a race while I am sitting on my couch. While I am still running outdoors, I miss the feel of participating in an event where millions cheer for you and you are running alongside several other runners. Every runner is out there, battling their own idiosyncrasies and are from different backgrounds. Yet for that moment, our goal is common-the finish line. 

Thats the beauty part of running or a triathlon, It embraces diversity and also imparts an important lesson of humility. 


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