Back of the Net is an Australian made flick that plays to the modern-day nature of empowering girls and encouraging them to be themselves. The main character, Cory Bailey (Sofia Wylie) is a science lover who flew to Sydney to spend a semester on a research vessel.
As she arrives, she accidentally caught the wrong bus and ended up at Soccer Academy instead. Not a natural sportswoman, Cory finds herself the target of a nemesis – Edie (Tiarnie Coupland). Cory realises she has to get herself out of the situation and does so by using her science knowledge to her advantage.
Cory adapted to her new surroundings and not only does she gradually apply science strategies for the team, but she also won friends along the way and came to her own.
As a pre-teen/teeny-bopper movie, this one has it all. Cheesy jokes, playful characters, boppy music and a pretty predictable plot. The characters and the setting are both bright and colourful that I almost reached out for my sunnies. But the message is lovely – be yourself, know your worth and empower each other. Having a young daughter who loves both science and sport, it is refreshing to have a movie that highlights the fact that a girl can do both without having to choose.
Directed by Louise Alston and screenwriters Alison Spuck McNeeley and Casie Tabanau, this nearly all-girls production is definitely a welcome breath of fresh air.
3.5 stars
Leave a Reply