25 Hill - Movie created to support the All-American Soap Box Derby

MOVIE REVIEW

25 Hill

Network: INSP

Original Air Date: July 22, 2012

*Note: This movie first premiered in an Akron, Ohio Theater on July 9th 2011. This will be the movie's first Cable TV Premiere.

ABOUT:

(from the 25 Hill official web-site)

After reading a September story in USA Today about the financial difficulties of the Akron-based All American Soap Box Derby, actor, director and producer Corbin Bernsen decided he could do something to save the nearly 75-year-old youth racing league – and keep it in Akron, Ohio. Despite a record number of racers (ages 8-17), the Derby has lost money three out of the past five years. It even risks foreclosure if it does not pay its lender the $623,000 it now owes.

The USA Today story inspired Bernsen to write a screenplay about an 12-year-old boy whose Derby dreams are threatened first when his father is killed fighting in Afghanistan and then when the Derby is shut down because of money troubles. The Derby is ultimately saved, but that heroic role has been left open --purposely -- to be filled by the real-life rescuers – the new title sponsor - who comes to the Derby’s aid.

CAST:

Nathan Gamble ... Trey Caldwell
Bailee Madison ... Kate Slater
Corbin Bernsen ... Roy
Ralph Waite ... Ed
Timothy Omundson ... Thomas Caldwell
Meg Foster ... Audrey
Maureen Flannigan ... Maggie Caldwell
Michael Tucker ... Bank Manager
Rolonda Watts ... Mrs. Banner
Brad Raider ... Derek Slater
Joe Zamora ... Bank Patron
Logan Fry ... Western Regionals Track Official
SueAnn Zavarelle ... Race Fan - Sacramento
Andrew Nelisse ... Team Slater 3
Scott Sherwood ... Team Slater 1

PLOT:

The family movie is about a boy, Trey Caldwell, played by actor Nathan Gamble of “Marley and Me,” who received a derby car kit from his dad for Christmas with the promise that they would build it together. However, his father, Timothy Omundson, known for his work in “Psych” and “Judging Amy,” is called up for duty in Afghanistan and is killed in action. The saddened Trey teams up with a past derby champ who is suffering his own hurt and together they build the car for the race. Eventually, after hearing the derby is in trouble, Trey sets out to go to Akron to help save the derby. It is a movie for the entire family to enjoy together.

Movie Review:

Amazing. Powerful. Real.

Corbin Bernsen has a way of creating these characters who are so real – I feel as if I know them.

A young boy, Trey Caldwell, with a dream to have a run in the Soap Box Derby – first loses his father who is a Soldier, then he becomes friends with a local firefighter, Roy – who teaches him all about Soap Box Derby racing. Roy actually had won the event himself when he was a boy. Since his own son’s death in the war, Roy has taken more to drinking and this constantly worries Trey. He is concerned about his new friend.

The boy in this film, Trey, (portrated by Nathan Gamble) was perfect! I instantly liked him and the way he spoke with such profoundness and confidence. He was great – He was... adorable in the way he laughed and emotionally powerful in the way he expressed his grief.

It was moving to see these two lives be brought together – one by the loss of a father and the other, the loss of a son. It was delightful to see Trey, a young boy, be so passionate about saving the derby – when the tradition was getting lost with children now, in todays fast-paced high-tech video world.

Win or lose – the greatest victory came in saving the derby and the relationships that were built along the way – including Roy & Trey's friendship with one another and deep faith in God.


See or Skip:

See! Very moving!


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