Miles from Nowhere (1992)

Miles from Nowhere Poster

Frank and Cam have been friends all their lives, Cam is on the High School Football team, coached by his dad, Frank is a promising runner, with a dream of completing a sub 4 minute mile and beating his arch rival. Cam persuades Frank to go to a party, when Frank wants to leave and Cam doesn't Frank decides to run home in the dark, with fatal consequences. Devastated by his friend's death and blaming himself, Cam decides to move from football to running with the goal of completing the sub 4 minute mile for his friend. A race against Frank's rival leaves the rival injured after falling off the track. The rival insults Frank and Cam starts a fight which leads to a disciplinary hearing, causing Cam to be banned from the championships. The rival organises another race though, to prove that he is better than Cam. The race is a close thing and Cam comes in a very close second, but in doing so breaks the 4 minute mile dream.

Film Overview
"Miles from Nowhere" is a 1992 drama movie directed by Buzz Kulik and starring Hollywood veteran James Farentino. The movie tells the real and gripping tale of a high school professional athlete and his potential failure. James Farentino's powerful acting included drama and depth to the story.

Plot Summary
James Farentino stars as Frank Reilly, a football coach who finds the exceptional talent of a boy called Richard, depicted by Andrew McCarthy. Richard is depicted as a talented high school athlete who reveals unbelievable pledge on the football field. However, his future potential customers are jeopardized by his struggles with alcoholism. The story is set mainly in Richard's hometown where he is a high school football star but slowly establishes a drinking problem which threatens his once-promising athletic profession.

Coach Reilly, acknowledging Richard's skill, tries to assist, mentoring him through his difficult times, standing by the boy through his fall and rise. He fights to keep Richard in the team while fighting the school administrators who would rather dismiss Richard from the team due to his getting worse alcohol problem. The Coach, appreciating Richard's skills, thinks in him and commits himself to assist Richard overcome his dependency and reclaim his life.

Performances and Reception
James Farentino provides a captivating performance as Coach Frank Reilly, ending up being a sign of motivation, durability, and mentorship. His character significantly contributes to the total thematic depth of the film. Andrew McCarthy as Richard also provides a solid portrayal of a boy wrestling with addiction, showing his descent into alcoholism and subsequent battle to overcome it. His efficiency brings to life the reality experienced by numerous teens who deal with comparable battles.

"Miles from Nowhere" was valued as a genuine and remarkable portrayal of the battle with addiction, especially among the youth. Its concentrate on high school sports and the pressure faced by young professional athletes made it pertinent and relatable for a teenage audience. Besides, the motion picture flipping between the highs of on-field accomplishments and the lows of alcoholism kept the audiences absorbed.

The movie was well-received due to its ability to illustrate the dark vice of dependency sensitively and reasonably. It unloaded the issues dealt with by young professional athletes, effectively showcasing the effect of external pressure and individual fights on their professions.

Legacy and Impact
"Miles from Nowhere" functions as an effective commentary on the challenges dealt with by young athletes and the plain reality of substance abuse. Even though it was launched in 1992, the movie's sincere depiction of dependency and healing remains appropriate to this day, resonating with a broad spectrum of audiences. Being a film based upon a true story adds an extra layer of authenticity to its story. Through its expedition of personal battles, mentor-student dynamics, and the severe reality of dependency among the youth, "Miles from Nowhere" leaves a long lasting effect.

Top Cast

  • Ricky Schroder (small)
    Ricky Schroder
    Frank Reilly
  • James Farentino (small)
    James Farentino
    John Reilly
  • Marlyn Mason (small)
    Marlyn Mason
    Barbara Reilly
  • Shawn Phelan (small)
    Shawn Phelan
    Emmett Reilly
  • Melora Hardin (small)
    Melora Hardin
    Teresa
  • Tom Schanley (small)
    Tom Schanley
    Bill Reilly
  • Kaj-Erik Eriksen (small)
    Kaj-Erik Eriksen
    Patrick Reilly
  • Johannah Newmarch (small)
    Johannah Newmarch
    Susan Reilly
  • Tom McBeath (small)
    Tom McBeath
    Father Harney
  • Linda Sorensen (small)
    Linda Sorensen
    Mrs. Ruth Carter
  • Sheila Moore (small)
    Sheila Moore
    Mrs. Beaumont