Rez Ball memorializes the heart it takes to chase your dreams.

The movie tends to race through actual game play — though the actors at least can handle the ball — and so the film’s strength lies more in the players’ easy rapport and the New Mexico location shooting.

Director and co-screenwriter Sydney Freeland keeps the story feeling real as Jimmy overcomes adversity and sees hope in the game on the court and in his own life.

Rez Ball hit all the right notes for me, and while it didn’t subvert my expectations for a sports film; by dint of it being a story about Rez ball, not just basketball, the film brought in a unique perspective that made me fall in love with it.