MVP: Review

13th November 2022

Will Phillips (Moe McRae) is an NFL football player whose career is behind him because of his behaviour and activities off the field. His excessive lifestyle has led to a drinking problem and he’s letting it get out of control as he can’t handle not being the player he used to be.

Then one night while out drinking, Will is rescued by Zephyr (Nate Boyer) who puts him back on his feet and makes sure that he’s not a danger to himself or others. Then next day, Will decides to find his new friend to thank him and realises that he’s living in a shelter for homeless veterans.

However, he still wants to do what he can to say thank you and to thank him for his service. Although once he meets Zephyr and his friends properly, Will realises that his problems pale in comparison to what they’ve endured.

MVP is a drama directed by and starring Nate Boyer and co-written by Geraint Jones. Having served six years in the U.S. Army himself, Boyer seems like the perfect person to portray a vet who has had his life taken from him. With Boyer at the helm in almost every aspect, it could have also felt like a misjudged passion project, thankfully though Boyer leaves a lot of time for the other veterans who have come back home to nothing to tell their stories.

Films such as The Best Years of Our Lives, Coming Home and Born on The Fourth of July have similar themes and MVP may be able to sit alongside them. Although putting them together may give the audience a stark reminder that nothing ever seems to change.

The story of a rich man who seems untouched by life only to learn a deeper lesson is also nothing new and at times the dialogue does feel a little stilted when Will’s eyes are opened. However, the bond between Will and Zephyr becomes stronger and although a little on the nose sometimes, the film’s intentions become clear.

It does also feel a bit too one sided in the story, because despite the parallels between the two central characters starting their lives again, the focus is more on the vet than the former pro-athlete. However, MVP does what it set out to do and may open the eyes of more of its audience as it tells a story of hope and brotherhood.

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