Hard Miles movie review

IN A NUTSHELL:

The movie is based on a true story about a teacher/social worker at a medium-security correction facility for teenagers in Colorado. He gets inspired to teach them to ride bicycles well in a peloton and takes them on a transformative 1,000-mile ride from Denver to the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

It’s the story of Greg Townsend and his Ridgeview Academy cycling team.

The film was directed by R.J. Daniel Hanna, who also co-wrote it with Christian Sander. Already, the movie has won 8 awards at various film festivals, including the Audience Choice Award. Congrats to the team!

THINGS I LIKED:

• I love the analogy of a lifechanging bike trip to help the troubled teens change their gears in life.
• I also love that Sean Astin is a family man who has been carefully choosing his roles in inspirational movies. Sadly, he’s simply not in many scenes in the film, but his presence is always welcome.
• It’s great to see Matthew Modine and Leslie David Baker in something again, and the young teens all do a fantastic job: Jackson Kelly, David Baker, Zachary T. Robbins, and Jahking Guillory, Damien Diaz. Cynthia Kaye McWilliams offers the estrogen in the movie with her tender-hearted, tough-love advice to the team.
• The characters seemed like real people instead of caricatures. I always appreciate that. It’s a lovely tribute to the real people who lived the actual events in the story.
• Another element of the story I liked is that it focuses on the coach who is also struggling with personal issues in his own way. After all, no one’s life is perfect. Everyone is fighting some kind of battle, which is why we all need to show grace, kindness, and patience with each other!
• Beautiful cinematography by Mack Fisher.
• We see a lot of flashbacks that provide insights into the characters’ backstories.
• There’s an interesting conversation about tenacity versus stubbornness. Where is the line between them? What do YOU think?
• Bring your box of tissues. You WILL get teary-eyed. There are some very touching moments.
• The title sure describes life, right?
• We get to see stunning images of the Grand Canyon. It truly is a sight to behold.
• At the end of the movie, we get to read the rest of the story on the screen, as well as see photos of some of the teen cyclists during the school’s history.
• The movie poster

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• It’s extremely predictable, but no one will care because it’s such an inspirational, true story!
• I would love to have learned how to donate to the school or help with projects or something to benefit the school’s admirable service to struggling teenagers.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• Profanity, an F-bomb, and some crude comments. The faculty and staff at the school are constantly saying, “Language!” to the kids with potty mouths.
• Some violence
• Teens constantly fight and bicker with one another

To see my full review, go to my Movie Review Mom YouTube channel!