By Mel Evans
A volatile rugby player, scared of becoming full-time carer for his toxic mother, battles injury and a new rival in a desperate last bid to turn pro.
Upcoming Feature Film | Sports Drama
Synopsis
Reject Weakness, Embrace Greatness
For burnt-out tough guy Riz, rugby is life’s great joy. He’s consumed by the desire to see his team turn pro and maintain his one escape from a miserable existence. So when he gets injured because of rookie player Jack, he goes out of his way to hide the pain and be a complete asshole to the little upstart. Despite all his posturing and ruthless banter, a text from his mother is all it takes to send Riz home.
Riz’s machismo switches to subservience as he cares for his demeaning mother, Sue, who has Parkinson’s. He’s now limping heavily, and her constant emasculation is exhausting. But when Sue demands he quit rugby altogether, he nears breaking point. Unable to face being permanently imprisoned with his mother, he ignores her wishes and his worsening injury to try and win the last match of the season. He performs dismally, failing to steal the limelight from Jack despite his best efforts. And when Jack confronts him about his injury at half-time, the insinuation of weakness makes Riz snap. He attacks Jack, costing his team the match and promotion. Devastated, Riz drowns his sorrows, ignoring his mother’s attempts to reach out until he gets a message – she’s had a fall.
In a guilt-stricken panic, Riz rings an ambulance and races home in agony. To his horror, he finds out his mother made up the fall as payback. Amidst his anguish, the paramedic arrives. It’s Jack. Sporting a black eye. He suspects Riz is to blame for Sue’s situation, too. But as Jack realizes what she did, an overwhelmed Riz finally breaks down, and they reach an understanding. When they go back to practice, Riz gives Jack the respect he deserves and opens up to his team, showing vulnerability for the first time.
Script
