Like Harvey Like Son

Like Harvey Like Son is a profoundly moving documentary released in 2018, following the journey of a father and son duo as they embark on a challenging adventure. The film is rich in emotional depth, drawing its viewers into the inner lives of its subjects while simultaneously presenting an inspiring exploration of resilience in the face of adversity.

The adventure begins with Harvey Lewis, an ultra-runner and high school teacher from Cincinnati, and his 78-year-old father, Ed, who decide to tackle the Appalachian Trail—an intimidating 2,190-mile trek stretching from Georgia to Maine. The goal is not only to complete the journey but also to break the speed record in the process.

Harvey, while driven by his love for running, is keen to dedicate this challenge to someone he cares about, his father, and the endeavor presents an opportunity for them to bond in a way they never have before. The story is centered around their journey, but it also offers much more than the outdoor challenge. It's a personal exploration of a father-son relationship grown in the challenging environment of nature.

Under ordinary circumstances, Harvey runs for himself. As a renowned ultra-runner, his love for the sport is deeply ingrained, and it is this passion that motivates him to take on the Appalachian Trail. However, dedicating this particular run for his father adds an emotional element to the challenge, making their journey not just physically demanding but emotionally resonant as well.

Ed, now retired, is a former truck driver and a veteran adviser for Harvey. Despite his age, his spirit remains young, and he uses his experience and wisdom to provide support and inspiration along his son's epic journey. He plays a pivotal role as his son's crew chief, driving to various points along the trail, preparing food and offering morale-boosting pep talks.

This film beautifully depicts how this arduous hiking trail is a metaphor for life's journey, with its ups and downs, hardships, and the passionate pursuit of a goal. Whether the spectators are outdoor enthusiasts or lovers of human stories, they can resonate with the trials and tribulations this father-son duo goes through during their pursuit.

The Appalachian Trail challenges in the form of rapidly changing weather, rugged terrain, and the fury of biting insects, inducing physical exhaustion and mental fatigue, yet the duo's charming camaraderie, humor, and tenacity provide them with the resiliency needed to keep going. This adventure brings out not only their individual strengths but also enhances their personal relationship, encouraging them to dig deeper into their bonds and understanding.

Meanwhile, Filmmaker Rudy Harris Jr, a classmate of Harvey's and an experienced hiker himself, chronicles this extraordinary journey with thoughtful storytelling and superb cinematography. The stunning landscapes of the Appalachian Trail are ennoble by his lens, offering breathtaking views that alternate between awe-inspiring and formidable. Harris skillfully includes various interviews and anecdotes into the timeline, creating a compelling context for the journey and weaving a tapestry of family, friendship, determination, and resilience.

In tandem with the journey's physicality, elements of introspection, nostalgia, and philosophical introspect mark the movie. Through the course of their endeavours, the viewers witness not just the metamorphosis of a landscape as they move from south to north, but also the evolution of the father-son relationship against the backdrop of their respective personal backgrounds and lifelong dreams.

Though a film about an ultra-running adventure, "Like Harvey Like Son" transcends the boundaries of being merely a sports documentary, transforming into an intimate examination of relationship dynamics under adverse circumstances. It breaks free of the confines of traditional narrative beats, melding a beautiful mixture of father-son bonding, unyielding spirit, resilience, and human emotions. In doing so, it pivots to become a tribute to the power of shared dreams and the emotional bonds that connect us all.