Chasing a Dream

Chasing a Dream
Written byBryce Zabel
Jackie Zabel
Directed byDavid Burton Morris
StarringAndrew Lawrence
Treat Williams
Theme music composerStephen Graziano
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersKevin Bocarde
Brian Gordon
Larry Levinson
Susan McGuire
CinematographyBrian Shanley
EditorJennifer Jean Cacavas
Running time120 minutes
Production companyLarry Levinson Productions
Original release
NetworkHallmark Channel
ReleaseApril 25, 2009 (2009-04-25)

Chasing a Dream (working title Miles From Nowhere)[1] is a made-for-television movie. Filmed in the Ventura County area of California, the movie premiered on Hallmark Channel on April 25, 2009,[1] and stars Andrew Lawrence and Treat Williams.

Most of the school scenes were filmed at John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, California. The logos, mascot (Golden Cougars), uniforms, and signage were all the official items for the school.

Plot

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Senior high school football star Cameron is traumatized when his best friend is killed in a car accident that he feels responsible for. When Cam learns that his best friend (a track star) was working on breaking the sub-four minute mile, he decides to honor his friend’s memory by accomplishing the goal for him. Cam is met with strong opposition from his football coach and father Gary, who feels he's throwing his sports opportunities away. The father-son disagreement begins to tear the family apart, but Cam continues to pursue his goal, hoping to put his friend’s memory to rest at last.

Cast

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Filming locations

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The track sequences and high school scenes were filmed on location at Royal High School in Simi Valley, California.[2] Some of the running scenes where Cam jogs along the street were filmed on the street outside the Larry Levinson studios, also located in Simi Valley, California. The party scene was filmed in the parking lot of the studio.

Critical reception

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A reviewer at BlogCritics had mixed feelings about the film.

It is an enjoyable movie that will appeal to a lot of people. The theme of high school sports figures overcoming obstacles is always popular. This movie doesn’t have a lot of surprises, though. While I liked this movie [...] it seemed a bit bland to me. I thought the dialogue at times didn’t feel right. The plot was a bit predictable. In the end, this is what it’s meant to be. It is a nice family drama and a great alternative to network television on a Saturday night.[3]

Star Magazine gave it 3 stars, saying that "Lawrence and Williams capture the father-son tension" well, and that Lawrence's performance is "moving." The magazine concludes: "This straightforward drama packs a strong emotional punch."[4]

Most of the school scenes were filmed at John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, California. The logos, mascot (Golden Cougars), uniforms, and signage were all the official items for the school.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hallmark Channel Press Release: 2/19/2009 Archived April 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Chasing a Dream On Location". Hallmark Channel. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
  3. ^ "TV Review: Chasing A Dream". TV Review.
  4. ^ "Reviews: Chasing a Dream". Star Magazine. 3 May 2013.
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