30-Love

30-Love is a dramatic portrayal of loss, love, forgiveness, and understanding, directed by Robert Cannon in 2017. The movie features performances from Robert Cannon himself, Brenda Vaccaro, and Justin Lee.

Set against a backdrop of tennis, the narrative revolves around a father-daughter dynamic, exploring the pain of loss and the path to healing, forgiveness, and personal growth. A tragic event at the beginning of the film triggers the unfolding of complicated emotions and a search for closure.

Robert Cannon, playing the character of Kelly, gives an earnest performance. Kelly, introduced as a man who lives for the game of tennis, is a loving husband and doting father. He faces the most devastating event of his life, the loss of his wife. The grief is hard enough, but having to raise a daughter single-handedly adds to Kelly's struggle, making life nearly unbearable. In trying to cope with the loss and his new-found responsibilities as a single parent, Kelly retreats to his first love - tennis.

Brenda Vaccaro, an Academy and Emmy award-winning actress, gives a strong performance as Kelly's deceased wife's sister, playing an instrumental role in helping Kelly navigate the stormy sea of his grief. Her character is that anchor amidst the storm that supports Kelly as he works through his feelings of loss.

Justin Lee joins the cast as an amiable tennis coach, adding an extra dimension to the story. His character forms a crucial link between Kelly and his reconnection with life through the game of tennis.

Throughout the film, a chain of heart-rendering instances depicting a single father-daughter pair is displayed. Despite his grief, Kelly works tirelessly to build a relationship with his daughter, showing her the love and care she needs while also trying to comprehend and embrace his new role.

Meanwhile, the sport of tennis is more than just a simple game in this movie; it's a metaphor that helps Kelly communicate with the world, his daughter, and his inner self. It provides a quiet constant in their lives, a source of escape, solace, and unexpected hope. As Kelly props himself up against his loss, he finds himself bonding with his daughter over a game they both love, navigating the pain and rediscovering happiness together.

The pain, struggle, and small victories of a single parent are portrayed brilliantly in this heartfelt narrative. The script does not shy away from showing the raw, heartbreaking, and at times, overwhelming reality of grief and loss. Yet, it also reveals the transformative power of love and forgiveness, as well as the human ability to adapt and emerge stronger from life's greatest challenges.

The journey also highlights the importance and influence of family and friendship in the healing process, shown through the constant support and understanding provided by Brenda Vaccaro's character.

30-Love is visually striking, with several scenes highlighting the aesthetics of tennis, the landscapes, and suburban settings, serving as a beautiful contrast to the otherwise emotionally heavy narrative. The camera work and the backdrop only strengthen the story, adding layers to it, further immersing viewers into Kelly's world.

Overall, 30-Love is a touching family drama that showcases the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It gives viewers an insightful peek into the grieving process, offering solace to those who may be dealing with similar hardships. The movie also gloriously highlights the healing nature of sports and the unbreakable bond between a father and daughter, making it an emotional and soulful watch that leaves viewers moved, teary-eyed, and inspired.