Hard Miles

Greetings again from the darkness. When Greg Townsend states, 'hard work overcomes hard luck', it's as much a reminder to himself as it is a motivation for the boys he's dealing with. The film from writer-director RJ Daniel Hanna (MISS VIRGINIA, 2019) and co-writer Christian Sander is inspired by a true story, and comfortably fits into the 'inspirational sports story' category, perhaps most similar to MCFARLAND USA (2015) starring Kevin Costner.

Matthew Modine plays Greg Townsend, a social worker at Ridge View Academy. It's a correctional facility for troubled youths, and Greg is a teacher and mentor. When the state threatens to revoke Ridge View's charter, Greg decides to take the four boys from his welding class on a 762-mile bike ride to the Grand Canyon. Previously termed Tour de Greg by his co-workers (or Tour de Canyon by Greg), his belief is that the trip will teach life lessons and cooperation to the boys. Without his realizing, it's also a trip to help Greg himself deal with an ailing (and estranged) father in hospice, an imprisoned brother, and some health issues of his own. Just like in real life, everyone has stuff going on.

Greg encourages (begs) the local bike shop owner, Speedy (Sean Astin), to sponsor his rag-tag team of misfits. Child psychologist and Ridge View co-worker Haddie (Cynthia McWilliams) agrees to drive the SAG wagon (supplies and gear). And after welding the frames of their own bikes ... and fighting with each other ... the boys reluctantly agree to go on the trip. The boys are Smink (Jackson Kelly), Rice (Zack T Robbins), Atencia (Damien Diaz), and Woolbright (Jahking Guillory), the latter being the most troubled of the group.

The trip goes about as you'd expect - with literal and emotional ups and downs. In fact, the movie itself is easily predictable and formulaic for the genre. However, it's an inspirational and uplifting story and we find ourselves rooting for the boys to pull together as a team, and for Greg to deal with his own demons while teaching the boys the ultimate life lesson: keep going. The best movie focused on bike riding is probably the classic BREAKING AWAY (1979), and this one from filmmaker Hanna could be called, coming of age on wheels.

Opens in theaters on April 19, 2024.

HARD MILES Director R. J. Daniel Hanna Writers R. J. Daniel Hanna Christian Sander Stars Sean Astin Matthew Modine Jackson Kelly

On March 17 2024 I started my day in Ventura CA on my way North for my Work. Since my favorite day to go see a Movie is Sundays and Holidays I decided to do a Double Feature.

Heard about a Film Festival in San Jose called CINEQUEST, you know "DO YOU KNOW THE WAY To SAN JOSE" where Matthew Modine was gonna be in Town to promote his new Movie HARD MILES along with Director RJ Daniel Hanna (Miss Virginia).with Q and A . It is about 5 Hour drive North on the 101, so I started early. Since Hard Miles didn't start til 7 PM had a day to fill. So also decided to See a new Michael Keaton Film along way called KNOX GOES AWAY where he plays an aging Hit Man with Dementia. Went to 1 PM Show Liked it !! Found Cinequest in Downtown San Jose and got in line for the show.

Modine plays Greg Townsend a Counselor at an Institution for Boys with Violence issues etc. Sort of Bad Apples. The school is Losing Funding so in order to increase publicity Townsend plans a 762 Mile Bike Ride from Colorado to the GRAND CANYON.for the Boys as Therapy and exercise for the Soul. Nobody thinks they will make it, but a BOND between Boys drives them to Finish the Ride !! There are some Funny Scenes about what happens along the way too The Q and A after was Cool ! Nice to See Him again. Worthwhile Film. Full Day.

Hard Miles is an uplifting movie about real experiences . The scenes give you a clear picture of the triumphs and tribulations these students experience. By the end of the movie, you are cheering them on to see if they can experience positive results. I would recommend Hard Miles especially for someone who might be considering a ride. The scenery is breathtaking and makes me want to dust off my own bicycle to join in a challenge. Cycling doesn't get enough credit for how you need to focus your energy and use your mind AND your body to have success. If you have any doubts in your ability to ride, see Hard Miles.

What Hollywood learned during the decade of the 1930's was that, the worse things got in the real world, the more people wanted positive and affirming movies to keep them going. That said, one wonders why "feel gooders" like Hard Miles 2023 are still so few and far-between? Sure, it's all been done before, but here it is done with amazing cinematography, an affable cast, and a noteworthy performance by Mathew Modine -- basically the "glue" that keeps it all together. Modine is one of those actors who has worked diligently behind the scenes for decades, but seldom gets a chance to strut. It's a good story. He makes it even better. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

I'm a huge Sean Astin fan and I've been trying to see all his recent movies in theaters. I'm so glad my insane fandom brought to a Theater in Salem Oregon to experience this great film. I was not expecting much because I hadn't heard much about this flick. I have only seen it once and yet I have multiple quotes that have stuck with me. The editing was fantastic, the way it delt with memories. I laughed, I cried, I sat on the edge of my seat and I cheered! I really hope more people see this powerful piece of cinema. Hopefully I can get a friend to drag me to a second showing. It better be released on Blu Ray cause I want it.

There is one glaring issue with this picture and it's that there simply isn't enough Sean Astin. But I am glad he got to be apart of this movie in any way. And of course there are the sports genre cliches, which can lead to predictable outcomes. But the heart and the relationships outweigh those small issues. Modine is fantastic in this, he and this movie inspired me. And that's rare in movies nowadays.