Watch The Roots Of Good Men

The Roots of Good Men is a coming-of-age drama film directed by Joshua Tate and released in 2018. The movie tells the story of three young men who come from different backgrounds, but with one shared passion - wrestling. Set in a small town in Pennsylvania, the movie primarily focuses on the lives of the three best friends, Wesley (Edward Joseph), Asaph (Gerald Linnear II), and Kenny (Dane Oliver). Wesley is a white high school senior who is struggling to come to terms with his father's legacy, while Asaph and Kenny are African American brothers who are dealing with the aftermath of their father's recent release from prison.

The three friends share a passion for wrestling and spend much of their time before school, after school, and on weekends training and perfecting their moves in a local wrestling gym. They are coached by Wesley's father, a former wrestling champion, who is harsh and uncompromising with his coaching techniques.

As Wesley prepares for an upcoming wrestling tournament, he struggles to balance his personal difference with his father, who he feels is pressuring him to be a champion wrestler like him. Meanwhile, Asaph's and Kenny's father tries to reconnect with his sons, but they are not interested in having anything to do with him due to the trauma they experienced during his absence.

The movie is a nuanced portrait of small-town life and the effects of toxic masculinity on relationships. The film portrays the struggles that young men face in rural America, such as the pressure to conform to traditional gender roles and expectations of masculinity.

The Roots of Good Men is an intimate, character-driven film that explores the dynamics of race, class and gender in contemporary society. It touches on issues such as identity, family, and friendship, while showcasing the value of teamwork in sports.

The film is beautifully shot, with the director effectively capturing the small-town vibe and the inherent tensions of the setting. The wrestling scenes are well choreographed and add to the overall realism of the film.

The acting performances in the movie are excellent, with all three leads delivering standout performances. Edward Joseph brings depth and emotional weight to his character as Wesley, while Gerald Linnear II and Dane Oliver deliver nuanced performances as the brothers dealing with the challenges of their father's incarceration.

Overall, The Roots of Good Men is a poignant and thought-provoking drama that showcases the complexities of growing up in modern America. It is a compelling portrait of the struggles of young men in a world that often seems stacked against them, and it is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

The Roots Of Good Men is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.2.