Film Review: Nate Boyer’s MVP
A film aimed at retired athletes and soldiers no longer active, MVP is a compelling story about surviving through communication. Based on the formation of the non-profit group Merging Vets & Players, the film was written, directed and starring Army Green Beret and former Seattle Seahawks Nate Boyer. Boyer has the right credentials to play the role given his direct experience with the military and the sport, the question is whether or not, he can make the story sell to a larger audience. With a supporting cast that includes Mo McCrae, Christina Ochoa, Dina Shihabi, Talia Jackson as well as military veterans Dan Lauria and former professional athletes turned actors Randy Couture, Tony Gonzalez, Howie Long, and Jarrod Bunch, MVP is a bit flawed in its approach but has enough components to make the film worthwhile. It's a heartfelt, inspirational film that many can watch and be motivated from.
The film centers on the budding friendship of homeless vet Zephyr (played by Boyer) and recently retired football player Will Phillips (played by McRae). At the outset of their initial encounter, the relationship started off rocky. Will, who can’t adjust to not being back on the field and with no team looking to bring him on, goes on a drunken stupor and crashes into Zephyr, who works as a security guard at one of the stadiums. Zephyr does him a favor and drives Will back home, and when Will wakes up, realizes the good deed that Zephyr did, seeks him out.
Rather than say a simple “Thank You,” Will offers to pay Zephyr upon learning that he lives in a homeless shelter for Vets. Right away, Zephyr refuses Will’s handout but over time these two seem to have a few things in common. Neither one of them can move on with their lives, although they each have the support of loved one and colleagues. For Will, it’s his wife and daughter and former teammates and for Zephyr, it’s the other guys in the homeless shelter. Zephyr, who also suffers for PTSD, can’t seem to grasp reality at times and shuts down emotionally. Although he has money and a family, Will is still depressed at doing nothing. There’s nothing motivating him to excell at something else. What brings these guys together is the gym that Will has and he uses as a meeting spot for athletes and vets to get their frustrations out and talk about what’s eating at them. Reluctant at first, Zephyr convinces his fellow vets, including his roommate to give it a try. Whether, the haven is enough to ease pain or mental stress, time can only tell, if they are willing to give it.
For his directorial debut, it’s a decent start. Take away some of the close-ups, a romance not needed and few a scenes that could have been edits down, Boyer has a crafted a story that many will relate with. Whether one is no longer in the Armed services, thru injury or retirement, and one is no longer playing a sport, it’s takes time to figure out what’s next in life and the film shows a great deal of the emotional tolls it has on these two individuals (Zephyr and Will). While Boyer is the one wearing hats on and off the screen, Mo McRae steals the spotlight as the ex-football player. Having played football since high school, and then the pros before retiring, McCrae's Will is having an identity breakdown and his bonding with Zephyr helps him connect to help others in dealing with mental withdrawal. Overall, Boyer's well-intentioned, personal crusade to tell this story comes out winning through the performances and the issue of communication.