As a wannabe athlete I’m a sucker for stories about athletes that face obstacles and succeed. If you’re Miguel Santos it’s not just about succeeding but about surviving. The story was told so well that the nuance of the Dominican culture never felt forced. Speaking of which, Algenis Perez Soto, the athlete-turned-actor, was superb in showing strength and vulnerability. Having watchedHalf Nelson Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden seem to have this unique groove in how they reveal the pathos of a character without draining hope. I’m going to admit that so far this is one of my favourite films this year, perhaps second to my recent favourite Amal.