The Throwback

8/10 - Relatable and Touching

What stood out to me in The Throwback was how relatable it felt. The struggles of balancing family life and personal growth are something many will connect with, and Justina Machado brings that tension to life brilliantly. Will Sasso adds humor and warmth, making their dynamic believable and touching. Mario García's script does a great job exploring these themes, though there were moments where the pacing felt uneven. Still, the film's heart and humor shine through, making it a delightful watch for anyone looking for a mix of laughter and reflection.

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We were looking for something entertaining and highly rated for a Friday night, and we stumbled across this movie. Little did we realize that everyone who worked on this film must have jumped on voting up their experience. Will Sasso (I loved him in Mom) is the only actor doing anything beyond pulling his own weight, and everyone else (kids included) were kind of horrific, but who can blame them? The concept was good, but we knew within minutes that the writing was just flaccid, the situations are predictable, and the actors did what they could with it with the dead script they were handed. They just weren't given a whole heck of a lot to work with, and it shows.

If you're tired of heavy dramas and intense thrillers, "The Throwback" is the perfect breath of fresh air you need. Directed by newcomer Mario Garcia, this film is a rollercoaster ride through midlife crises, parenting struggles, and the joy of rediscovering lost dreams.

At its core, "The Throwback" taps into a fantasy many parents secretly harbor-an escape from the daily grind to pursue the passions they left behind for family life. Justina Machado shines as the overlooked "supermom" who, after a post-traumatic meltdown, reverts to her carefree college self, sparking chaos and laughter.

While the premise might seem familiar, "The Throwback" brings a fresh perspective by diving into the complexities of aging, parenthood, and the quest for happiness. Director Garcia strikes a perfect balance between humor and emotion, ensuring every laugh is backed by genuine heart.

What makes "The Throwback" stand out is its refusal to offer easy answers about youth versus adulthood. Instead, it encourages viewers to reflect on life's twists and turns while enjoying the ride.

With its catchy soundtrack, clever writing, and relatable characters, "The Throwback" is a delightful escape for anyone craving a feel-good movie night. Whether you're a parent longing for a break or simply in need of a smile, this film delivers 100 minutes of pure entertainment.

In short, "The Throwback" is a charming mix of humor, heart, and nostalgia that resonates on a human level. Don't miss out on this light-hearted gem that will leave you grinning long after the credits roll.

Funny and relatable, great way to spend a Saturday night on the couch with a bowl of popcorn. The throwback was charming and unique. The acting was fantastic, this movie was perfectly cast. And we love Justina Machado, such talent. We laughed and laughed - it was great to watch as a family as the theme is so relevant to today's family.

Imagine being stressed and overwhelmed by everyday life with two young children and a husband to take care of, and feeling your career is simply not enough. Then suddenly forgetting about all of these responsibilities and regressing to college time, where all dreams were possibilities. How different your life could be! This feel good movie has a premise we can probably all relate to.

The Throwback is a tender grown-up person film about parenting, the fight against getting older and duller, and ultimately the power of strong loving relationships that can make not being young tolerable.

While The Throwback is structured somewhat like a reverse of Big - 1988's Tom Hanks classic about a child occupying an adult body - the switch from middle aged mom to late teen younger self is a much more interesting, less well trodden path, and is handled with a deft hand by debutant director Mario Garcia.

Garcia lets the audience cheer unashamedly and vicariously at the obvious stuff - soccer mom doing shots at pool parties - before nudging us towards more thoughtful less black and white ideas about the differences between being young and irresponsible and older with kids. Refreshingly the movie doesn't try to drag you to a trite conclusion about whether being old is better, or worse or (yawn) just different.

There is enough room left for the audience to make their own mind up either way and that's what makes the movie so engaging and easy to enjoy.

Garcia loves nudging the audience towards a gag, and he keeps the comedy train on track. But he wraps the fun in enough intellect to make The Throwback interesting as well as funny.

That would have been a lot harder without two lead actors used to straddling that divide and who seem perfectly cast for this film. Justina Machado is super easy to see as the hot mom who can just about get away with suddenly become a party girl without it seeming silly to everyone, particularly if you remember her Six Feet Under heyday when she was equally brilliant as here (and just as hot).

And Will Sasso's big dad bod bursting with love for his spiraling wife is a step up in responsibility from his balancing sidekick role in Loudermilk but he brings an understated physical humor to the role while steering clear of absolute slapstick - mostly.

If you have kids and at times wish you didn't, this movie gets you - the guilt, the frustration, the impatience, the love, the routine, the tedium. And if the kids are out or tucked up in bed on a Friday night some time soon, The Throwback is a 100-minute escape from all that and a chance to feel okay about yourself.