Backwards, starring Sarah Megan Thomas and James Van Der Beek, is a sports drama that is far too well-intentioned for its own good, serving an ending that smacks of schmaltziness in the form of unfair self-sacrifice. Sarah Megan Thomas, who both stars and pens the film, attempts to simultaneously please rowing enthusiasts, rom-com crushers, and connoisseurs of indie filmmaking, but I get the sinking feeling she forgot to please herself in the process. The direction by Ben Hickernell is sound – those, like me, who couldn’t get enough of The Social Network’s infamous rowing scene, will certainly have their fill with Backwards. Sarah Megan Thomas is quite a great actress, and should do more work in mainstream cinema. I could see her being the Sarah Jessica Parker of her generation if placed into the right film projects. She’s got that spunk, wit, and intellect, plus she’s got an ease about her that is both relatable and comforting. Most surprising in Backwards is the terrific turn by James Van Der Beek, who not only churns out his best film performance since The Rules of Attraction, but is easily the standout character of Backwards. There are many elements of Backwards I fell in love with, but it’s the downward spiral of a journey Sarah Megan Thomas forces us to take that ultimately withheld my approval. Read more on Backwards (**½)…
Tags: Backwards, Backwards review, Ben Hickernell, Entertainment/Culture, Glenn Morshower, James Van Der Beek, London Olympics, Margaret Colin, Sarah Megan Thomas, sports dramas, the Olympics, The Social Network
