'Last Chance U' Season 5 Review: The Laney Eagles, John Beam have a story to tell and it's downright inspiring
'Last Chance U' was always about giving a raw unabashed account of American college football and in its final season, it traces the journey of the Laney Eagles who are not your typical sleek and smooth outfit. It is made very clear right at the start these boys are fighters. In addition to the struggles they face to eke out to living in California by working nights, sleeping in locker rooms and cars, they also have everyday troubles of fending three good meals and trying to up their faltering grades.
What they do have though is the grit and will to get through. Season 5 of 'Last Chance U' makes brings with it some overwhelming emotion, more than it's predecessors showcased and as it picks up from their 2018 winning season. There are some hotshot players on the side. If guided right, there are NFL material and they're not exactly at striking distance. The eight-part docuseries gives us an in-depth look at some of the key players of the Eagles outfit and where they are at the moment.
In John Beam, who kind of reminds of Willam Hurt from 'Captain America: Civil War' with that thick mustache is a man who knows his craft. Forty years into coaching, Beam can break the players to bring out the best in them and while he may be a stern disciplinarian on the field, he's also pretty easygoing off it. However, what he is, is a man who doesn't mince words. And for that. Beam earns sheer respect. What adds to Laney's edition is the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic that eventually plays a role in putting a stop to sporting action.
Not just did it do that, it also meant the Laney players who went to different cities through the scholarship quota or by pursuing their journey at a new place with a thin sliver of hope, they are currently at home cooling their heels and hoping for some light to show at the end of the tunnel. 'Last Chance U' follows some key players of the 2019 roster — RJ Stein, a wide receiver, Nu'u Taugavu, a man married and a dad of two who still follows his passion to play football while completing his education, Dior Walker-Scott, another wide receiver, and Rejzohn Wright, a defensive back.
All these players are teens who have their own issues. For some, it's their family, for others it's injuries and these serve as decisive factors that see Laney make a late push for the playoff bid after some of the early games result in average performances. The season ends with one message from Beam: the NFL has always to be plan B. For him, it has always been about doing all the little things right. "It pisses you off when you are losing her says, and we struggled this year. I have to do a better job, and that'ds what I'll do." Now that may seem to be line most heard about as the season ends and reflection kicks in but this is John Beam and that's his Eagles. There's hope again. And as for 'Last Chance U' they will be back with some basketball stories next season.
'Last Chance U' Season 5 premieres on Tuesday, July 28, on Netflix.