Hard Miles

It's low-budget, and it looked it from the trailer. Sometimes when you hit upon a movie like that, no matter how worthy the story, it gets delivered with such a sub-par script and acting that it's unpalatable. Not so with this one.

I was really impressed by the acting all around. Everyone seemed authentic, and the deeper chemistry that developed between the characters felt natural and not contrived.

It's a very decent script, too. There were no big dramatic moments that made it feel saccharine or overly done. Even a moment between Modine's character and his (abusive) father is done in such a realistic, simple way. No sappy, platitude-laden scripting to ruin the authenticity.

The whole film was inspiring enough to make me cry! Maybe it's because I'm a mom of a boy, but I sure felt protective of those young men and wanted to see them succeed (I raised my son in a safe, loving home -- and it breaks my heart to think of kids who don't have that). The fact that it's based on a true story added to the emotional factor for me.

Overall, this is a really touching (though understated) story that is well worth watching!

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.

All I have to say from a man who spent considerable amount of time incarcerated in juvenile facilities in the system that aged out of foster care that total lives and positive life and prides myself as a movie buff I found this film to be so extremely real and entertaining Everyone did great the story was awesome the entire thing just hit hard.... I'm so happy to have seen it at cinequest film festival and that I got to here it's start speak about his approach to art. I really enjoyed this film. The cinematography was great the scenery was beautiful, the story was well written, and the young actors worked so well together... What a positive film.

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.

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.