TRI

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. When matters get tough for medical technician Natalie (Jensen Jacobs), she has never been the one to harden up and buckle down. In her life, she has left many things unfinished, which is something her husband, Rex (Jaylen Moore), as well as her good friend, Skyler (Walker Hays), haven’t exactly let her forget.

Upon encouragement from one of her cancer patients, Candice (Shawn Pelofsky), Natalie signs up for her first triathlon. 12 weeks isn’t an extremely long time to train, but it does afford her the opportunity to meet others who are using this triathlon for their own personal discovery. In them, she can find strength when she feels like quitting.

Directed by Jai Jamison, Tri (pronounced “try”) is an award-winning film scoring accolades like Film of the Year, Best Actress (Jensen Jacobs), Best Family/Faith-based film, and more from festivals such as the Northern Virginia International Film & Music Festival and the Boston International Film Festival. Its story is a simple one of overcoming adversity, and ultimately cancer.

Tri looks and plays out like a better Lifetime movie. This isn’t a slight, in this case, it is quite the praise. The cast is very sound in their performances, and most have had experience in movies before. That goes a long way in making the characters they play believable. They feel like real characters with real struggles, fears, doubts, etc., especially the central character played by Jensen Jacobs. She’s relatable, a person we’ve all been most likely during one time or another. The editing, sometimes a trouble spot in very small budgeted productions, has a nice, consistent flow to it, and the scenes where some of the characters are fighting with their internal thoughts are pulled off well. The only occasional personal annoyance is the overuse of background songs a few times.

Tri is an uplifting and grounded film, the result of its writing team having firsthand experience in triathlon training and completion, cancer survival, and the heartbreak that cancer loss can have on loved ones. The film is likely to be most powerful for those who may be embarking on a long program or lifestyle change, such as a marathon or weight loss, or dealing with the tragic loss of somebody dear at a particular time. With that said, though, its main lesson of trying, having the benefit of a support system, and not giving up no matter the circumstances can be applicable anywhere no matter the circumstances.

B

I’d like to thank Clint Morris for reaching out to me and providing me an opportunity to watch this good film. Some additional information:

TRI,  which earlier this year walked away with the top prize at the Northern Virginia International Film & Music Festival, begins at the Strand Theatre, Delaware Friday August 19.

The screening coincides with the Ironman race in Delaware, Ohio on Aug. 21.

 

TRI is an inspiring, emotionally-charged drama about a medical technician with a history of not finishing things who is inspired by a cancer patient to sign up for her first Triathlon.  The film’s potent garland of performers includes Jensen Jacobs and legendary TV star Tim Reid.

Natalie (Award-winning actress Jensen Jacobs), an ultrasound tech with a history of not finishing things, is inspired by a cancer patient to sign up for a Triathlon. Natalie is introduced to the strange (and aerodynamic) world of triathletes and meets a colorful cast of characters as she trains for the Nation’s Triathlon. With the support of her new teammates, she digs deep to discover just how far she can push her mind and body.

TRI is the first scripted feature narrative about triathlons that has been developed for theatrical release. Triathlon is the fastest growing endurance sport in the world and was the fastest growing of all sports in the UK in 2014. There are over 600,000 athletes registered with USA Triathlon, and over 3.2 million worldwide. 

Tickets are on sale now

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