Review of the DVD, “Overcomer”:

In my review of the DVD, “Mulan”, I noted that I was looking for stocking stuffers before Christmas and was fortunate to have found the Disney remake of their animated movie, “Mulan,” using real characters. But I have two daughters living at home and “Mulan” was just one movie. I needed another DVD. My fifteen-year-old has been a swimmer for her middle school swim club for two years. Due to COVID the 2020-2021 season was canceled. Undaunted by this disappointment, she decided to give soccer a try. Being Colombian in origin one would assume that soccer would be in her blood, but she has never played. Consequently, she is going into tryouts with significant apprehension as to whether she will make the team. I decided she needed some inspiration, and so I looked for a DVD to put in her stocking that would serve as such. “Overcomer” fit the bill. “Overcomer” is in the line of movies that are being produced that are ladened with strong Christian themes. Others in this vein that come to mind immediately are “God Is Not Dead”, “War Room” and “Courageous.” Such films are finding great popularity among religious minded folk and others who hold traditional family values. The major theme behind “Overcomer” is the power of forgiveness. But it also presents the story of a young high school girl who “overcomes” a disability and succeeds beyond anyone’s expectations, including her own, thus the appropriateness for my fifteen-year-old soccer team wannabe. The story takes place at a Christian high school that is experiencing serious cutbacks in extracurricular activities. A major manufacturing plant that employed many of their students’ parents shuts down. Forcing those families to relocate. Overnight the coach of the basketball team, John Harrison, finds himself without enough players. The solution posited for him by the school principal, Olivia Brooks, was to coach a sport that he knew nothing about, cross-country, and for which only one student tries out, Hannah Scott, a girl with asthma. Not exactly a great formula for success. But providence steps in. While making some hospital visits with his pastor, Coach Harrison happens in- to the room of a blind, elderly man, Thomas Hill, who in his prime was a cross country star. Coach presumes upon the experience of Mr. Hill to help him train his one runner, the asthmatic Hannah. There is more to the story than I want to reveal here. But it is about forgiveness, as Don Henley sings. It is heart-warming. There is a bit of a surprise. And Hannah does overcome and triumphs in more ways than one, as I hope my fifteen-year-old does in her tryouts for soccer. Afterall, it should be in her blood! Reviewed by Richard Dick, Library Assistant, O’Kelly Memorial Library

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