No, Where Hope Grows is not based on a true story. The movie was written by Chris Dowling and is about a baseball player.
Where Hope Grows is an American drama movie that shows two people of different spectrums helping out each other.
The movie follows the story of a professional baseball player whose professional career was cut short due to his personal problems.
Requiring alcohol to keep his feelings bay from his inner demons, he is suddenly awakened and invigorated by a stranger with Down Syndrome who works at a local grocery store.
Both have their own personal problems, they help each to create a better self with each other’s help.
The movie was written and directed by Chris Dowling who wanted the movie to be about two people having a real conversation.
It was released on May 15, 2015 and has received 6.6 ratings.
Is Where Hope Grows A True Story?
Where Hope Grows is not based on a true story. But the movie does present a world that is very real and lived in with people battling their issues.
The director and the writer of the movie Chris Dowling had seen many kinds of faith-based movies.
According to Chris’s interview with CBN, this kind of movie typically only shows and presents the world that they wanted to see it.
He created the movie because he thought the faith-based movies do not represent the real world.
He wanted to show the true faith that is woven into the real-life based scenario. The movie doesn’t go into much telling the viewer what to believe and what not to believe and lets the viewers decide.
But not only that, but he has also created a major motion picture movie that shows and represents an actor with Down Syndrome as the lead role.
By creating such an opportunity for the actor, he shows rather than looking at other people’s situations their skills should be looked into before judging them.
Meet The Cast Of Where Hope Grows
Where Hope Goes cast includes Kristoffer Polaha, David DeSanctis, McKaley Miller and William Zabka.
Kristoffer Polaha As Calvin
Actor Kristoffer plays the role of Calvin Campbell whose professional baseball career is cut short due to his own personal problems.
Now revitalized by a man with Down syndrome named Produce, he finds the renewed determination to pursue a better life.
Kristoffer Polaha is an American actor who has been working with Hallmark movies in recent times.
The actor was born in Reno, Nevada on February 18, 1977. He was born to his mother Esther and Jerome Polaha with three other siblings.
The actor started his career in 2001 with a tv series called Angel. Since then, he has worked on more than 70 movies and series.
His movies and series credit includes Jurassic World: Domination, Wonder Woman 1984, Valentine and Back in the Day.
David DeSanctis As Produce
David plays the role of Produce in the movie. His character, Produce is working at a local grocery store and is quite a positive man.
He is joyful and eager to help and likes to make personal connections with shoppers.
Actor David DeSanctis is an American actor who was born with Down syndrome. David is bright and communicative.
The actor graduated from Ballard High School and later from the University of Louisville/Jefferson County Public Schools P.A.C.T. program.
David’s role in Where Hope Grows was his debut acting. Though not much into acting, he has appeared in movies and series such as Anastasia, Color My World with Love and the upcoming series These Stones.
McKaley Miller As Katie
McKaley plays the role of Katie Campbell. In the movie, she is shown to be the daughter of Calvin and has to grow up fast due to her father’s drinking habit and irresponsibility.
McKaley Miller is an American actress born on May 14, 1996, in Texas. She was born to her mother Kris Miller and has a brother named Griffin Miller.
The actress began to pursue an acting career in 2006 when she was about a decade old.
She started acting with a side role in a series called Inspector Mom in 2006. Since then, she has acted in movies and series such as Ma, Hart of Dixie, The Gates, Partners, Frontman, The Standoff and You’re Killing Me.
William Zabka As Milton
William plays the role of Milton Malcolm. Milton in the movie is an old friend of Calvin who has seen his tragic past. Though his friend is still not out of his shadows, he is also trying to bring him out of it.
Actor William Zabka is an American actor who was born on October 20, 1965, in New York City. He was born to his mother Nancy, and his father Stan Zabka.
His most iconic role is as Johnny Lawrence in the original The Karate Kid. Since then, he has had acting credits, including The Karate Kid Part II, The Equalizer, High Voltage, How I Met Your Mother and Cobra Kai.
Other Cast Members
- Michael Grant as Colt,
- Brooke Burns as Amy,
- Danica McKellar as Susan,
- Kerr Smith as Officer Minniear and
- Drew Cash as Eric.
Where Hope Grows Review And Trailer Break Down
The movie revolves around Calvin who retires from being a professional baseball player due to his small mistake in a match.
Though he has a daughter, he is too drunk to take care of her. One day while looking for alcohol, he meets Produce. Produce who is bright and joyful hugs him and thinning the barrier that he had created to keep out of his reach.
The more he befriends Produce, the more the joyful attitude of Produce rubs on him, thawing the ice inside that prevents him from taking care of the people around him.
Without knowing him, he is drawn to the positivity of Produce and soon a friendship is created between two unlikely individuals.
As Calvin and Produce begin to spend time together, Produce is also shown to have his own battles and challenges. But how he challenges the personal hardship shows Calvin a new way of fighting it, by holding tightly to faith.
An accident causes him to soak his past with alcohol again but sinks further when he is confronted by her daughter to finally give up on him.
Finally, at a crossroads of choice to settle, he turns toward Produce. Now with a renewed determination, he pursues a healthy lifestyle for himself and his daughter.
Trailer Breakdown
In the trailer, Produce and Calvin are seen driving a car. Then Calvin is seen having a small laugh with Amy. Calvin teaches Produce how to hit a ball with a bat with a fruit.
The trailer then shows Calvin befuddled with alcohol and playing baseball at a stadium while raining. In the morning, he has a hard time thinking about his daughter.
Later he goes to confront her daughter to not follow her boyfriend who is a bad guy.
While buying alcohol, he meets Produce who gives him a hug and he feels quite awkward. Produce is seen walking on an old railway track where he meets drunk Calvin.
At night in his home, his daughter confronts him and tells him about giving up on him.
Produce in the morning brings a flower for Katie and asks him to take him to the church. Calvin also meets his friend.
As Calvin slowly begins to depend on Produce for moral support, he comes to visit him at the store.
While Calvin is playing golf, he has a discussion with his friend. He meets with Amy with whom he trying to get connected. Giving them a chance, Produce and his daughter leave them alone.
Calvin and Produce are having fun and Calvin also comes to church for Produce. Calvin gets back his chance to be on the field and he hugs Produce