Rise (movie review)

The movie Rise brought tears to my eyes. (I watched it on Hulu, but it is also on Disney+.) This is a movie about a family that wants more than anything to find a way to live legally in a country where they can feel safe and have greater opportunities. They worry about being deported and are always on the lookout for police. While living in their chosen county, four children are born. These children are considered citizens by birth but are not given all of the rights of citizens because of the questionable status of their parents. 

As the older two boys become teenagers, they learn about basketball and decide to join an after school program. They have a natural ability and have recruiters watching them. When the oldest is recruited to a team in which he could be paid, the offer is rescinded when the family's past is discovered. Then, the second son has an agent interested in him. This son makes it clear that he will go nowhere unless his family can go with him in good standing. The solution the sports agent came up with was to have him sign with Spain in order to be eligible for the NBA draft. 

This family had been living in Greece where they had better life than they had in Nigeria. They worked hard to make ends meet and tried to get legal status in Greece but were unable to do so. They were only able to have the life they dreamed of having when one was drafted by the NBA allowing him eventually reunite his family in the United States.

This movie is based on the true story of the Antetokounmpo family who worked hard for what they were given. I strongly encourage anyone to watch this movie. It is inspiring and eye opening. Of course, I cried at the end. (I do that for a lot of movies.)

I learned a lot from this movie about how good we have it being legal citizens in the country we love. We do not have to live in constant fear of being taken away from our family. We are able to have gainful employment that allows us to pay our bills. We do not have to rely on our children to help create income. I am so happy that I have been blessed in this way.