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Cast: Lance Gross, Nicole Beharie, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Darrin Henson, Keith David
Kyle Bishop (Lance Gross) dreamt of a life of luxury and the means to take care of his family when he joined the NFL. But, life took an unexpected turn, bringing Kyle back to his hometown. In high school, Kyle's major focus was his one true love, Faith (Nicole Beharie, Shame, American Violet), but his dedication to the NFL left her and their relationship behind. Now, caught between the demands of the career he’s always dreamed of and the single mother who holds his heart, Kyle must make the most important decision of his life.Before the film even starts you are greeted with this statistic, "78% of all professional football players are divorced, bankrupt, or unemployed two years after leaving the game." Pretty harsh realism there. In "The Last Fall" Kyle has to deal with the last two since he was never married. Kyle Bishop is forcibly retired with nothing to his name but sizable debts. He decides to move back home to take a pause and figure what lies ahead for him and what his next move is. While visiting a an old teacher he runs into his old sweetheart, Faith who is now a single mom. A rekindled romance makes Kyle even more confused yet determined about his future. His father also becomes sick and a long conversation with his mom about family seems to change everyone's outlook on life.
"The Last Fall" certainly isn't the most effective story about an athlete who faces life without the sport he loves but it's a decent watch either way. The film doesn't really show much in the way of football but I was fine with that because the story was more about Kyle as a human being and how he deals with having to move forward in life. Plus the film adds a bit of romance and Lance Gross and Nicole Beharie are really great together as kyle and Faith. To be honest the film comes off as more a romance/drama than anything else but it does offer up a few sad facts about a life in professional sports and it sends a few important messages like staying in school and getting that needed education.
"The Last Fall" could of been a much better film but this is Writer/Director Matthew A. Cherry feature film debut so I see a lot of potential here and I think we will be hearing a lot more from him in the future. Production wise the film looks great and the entire cast did a great job in playing their roles. I would of liked to have seen a bit more detail story wise but like I said before, this being the director's first film it is not a bad start by a long shot. The film is more geared towards the female audience but guys should enjoy the film as well so it makes for a very nice date night. Available on DVD and digital download now, you can order the DVD HERE.
Released by Image Entertainment
*** Out Of *****