The nonbinary director, D.W. Waterson, needed to make the sort of movie they wished they’d seen rising up in a hockey-obsessed family in Canada. Which can clarify why an earnest teen spirit appears to be alive and somersaulting in “Backspot,” a cheer squad story providing loads of life classes.
A queer protagonist with pom-poms will not be a cinematic first. (Bear in mind the comedy “However I’m a Cheerleader”?) The double full twist with “Backspot” is that the author, Joanne Sarazen, and Waterson (who edited and scored the movie), don’t middle the coming-of-age drama in coming-out trauma.
From the get-go, Riley (Devery Jacobs of “Reservation Canines”) and her girlfriend, Amanda (Kudakwashe Rutendo), snort, canoodle and stroll to observe hand in hand. Being queer in highschool will not be the place the film’s classes lie.
As an alternative, “Backspot” confronts psychological well being points: Riley anxiously pulls out her eyebrows, has panic assaults and aches for the approval of Eileen (Evan Rachel Wooden), her new coach. Because the Thunderhawks’ coach, Wooden retains her jawline taut chomping gum. Her implacable expression registers near-constant displeasure together with her three keen new recruits: Riley, Amanda and Rachel (Noa DiBerto). In any case, the crew has solely two weeks earlier than the cheerleading championships!
Not not like its protagonist, “Backspot” initially tries too onerous to be worthy of the style by which “Deliver It On” nonetheless reigns supreme. However one thing shifts emotionally for the anxious teen, and for the movie, when Riley finds Eileen’s assistant coach, Devon (Thomas Antony Olajide) side-gigging as a go-go dancer.
Its early execution strains and wobbles some, however “Backspot” sticks its touchdown.
Backspot
Not rated. Working time: 1 hour 33 minutes. In theaters.
