In 1980, Ali Jahani escapes Iran and the draft for the Iraq War. He arrives in a small California town to live with his uncle Hafez Tabad. The Iranian hostage crisis is everywhere. Hafez is bitter as anti-Iranian sentiment has dried up his mechanics business. Ali gets bullied in school. He is taken with the popular athletes' school jackets and tries out for every sport. Wrestling Coach Plyler (William Fichtner) reluctantly accepts the newcomer despite Principal Skinner (Jon Voight)'s objections.
The story is a rather standard movie despite its true story origins. It checks off almost every standard trope. I don't mind that but it doesn't add up to something great. It needs more. It needs a more charismatic lead. The boy is fine but unspectacular. The movie is the same. Outside of their Iranian background, there is nothing that special.
The story is a rather standard movie despite its true story origins. It checks off almost every standard trope. I don't mind that but it doesn't add up to something great. It needs more. It needs a more charismatic lead. The boy is fine but unspectacular. The movie is the same. Outside of their Iranian background, there is nothing that special.