Chris Dowling

“Where Hope Grows” is a film where God works in mysterious ways

By Jenny Alvarez

Photos Agency.

During 95 minutes, director and writer Chris Dowling show us an inspiring story about Calvin Campbell (Kristoffer Polaha), a professional baseball player who was sent to an early retirement due to panic attacks at the plate.  Even though he had all the talent for the big leagues, he struggles with the curveballs life has thrown him. Today, Calvin sleepwalks through his days and copes with the challenge of raising his teenage daughter (McKaley Miller). As his life heads in a downward spiral, it is suddenly awakened and invigorated by the most unlikely person – Produce (David DeSanctis), a young-man with Down syndrome who works at the local grocery store.

It’s related to a deep friendship form in an authentic, real, full of hope and encouragement. Despite Mr. Polaha plays the role with enough self doubt and confusion, David DeSanctis (who plays “Produce”) provides hope. It’s obvious the series has given him a foundation to make this role much deeper than most but together work, here and there, and Polaha is perfectly believable as an ex-jock and ex-jerk who lets a little child lead him out of the darkness and with the help of potential future soulmate Amy (Burns), it appears that things are looking up. Definitely a watchable film that becomes a kind of spiritual role model toward lost souls.