Born
to Win is another one of those movies you hope
everyone sees. This true story is a tearjerker yet leaves you with hope and a
desire to make more of your life—to become a winner.
Leon Terblanche—played by
Greg Kriek (Momentum), and little Leon played by James Reardon—knew fear and abuse at a young age. With the exception
of a short season of happiness in the modest home of “Mama” (Sylvia Mdunyelwa-Kobus), Leon’s life was miserable—so much so that by the time he was a teen,
his heart had become callous.
But the camaraderie of college life brushes
the hardness aside especially when he falls in love with Elmarie—played by Leoné Pienaar (Break Away). When the couple
marry and give birth to a daughter, life seems promising. At least for a time.
But Leon’s battles are
not over, and when hardships arise, so do his inner demons. It will take a
miracle to save his marriage. And another to save the life of his daughter, Briggitte
(Marié
Cronjé).
The story takes place in South Africa in
the apartheid era yet in Mama’s home, her son (Zuki Sigwela) and Leon become like brothers with no regard for color. Another
interesting element is Leon’s work among physically disabled kids. He is
confronted with their own struggles in light of their handicaps, many of which
are the result of injustice.
Not until Leon reckons with his own hurts
through Christ can he offer anything meaningful for the hurts of others.
I could criticize a few things in this
movie such as the fact that the Terblanches sit in the front row of church on
their first visit (most people would feel self-conscious), but then if they
weren’t in the front, drama would be lost. Artistic
license wins. Or I could mention that the voice used for God is a tad
cliché, but then again I’m not the one who heard it: Leon Terblanche is. The bottom
line is that the story is superb and all the better because it is true.
Written and directed by Frans Cronjé and produced by the same producer as Faith Like Potatoes, which sold more than 2.2 million DVDs in 17 languages worldwide, Born
to Win will likely soar to the
same heights and become another winner. (No pun intended.)
Janey DeMeo M.A.
Copyright © February 2016
JaneyDeMeo.com
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