Touchback

Touchback

Year: 2012

Runtime: 118 min

Language: English

Director: Don Handfield

DramaSportFantasyFamily

Years after a career-ending injury derailed his dreams, former football star Scott Murphy lives a quiet life as a farmer and family man. Unexpectedly, he's given a chance to return to the Ohio State championship game where his playing days ended. Guided by his former coach, Scott grapples with the decision of whether to repeat the past or forge a new path, potentially altering his present and future.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Touchback (2012)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Touchback (2012). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1991 and around 2011

The narrative shifts between 1991, the year of the state championship Scott hopes to influence, and the present-day around twenty years later. The 1991 segment captures the town's football fever and the hero's early promise. The present-day portion shows the community rallying to help Scott and to honor his legacy.

Location

Coldwater, Ohio

Coldwater, Ohio is a quiet farming town where football binds the community. Its landscape features expansive farms and seasonal harvests that frame the plot's stakes. The town acts as a character, supporting its residents through hardship and rallying to harvest soybeans by hand at the story's turning point.

❄️ Small-town 🚜 Rural farmland 🎭 Community

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:52

Main Characters – Touchback (2012)

Meet the key characters of Touchback (2012), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Scott Murphy (Brian Presley)

A former high school football hero who carries regret for a career-ending injury. He returns to 1991 with foreknowledge of outcomes, determined to rewrite his path while balancing his duties to family and town. His resilience and sharp planning make him willing to take risks, but he learns that true victory comes from the community's support as well as personal growth.

🏈 Athlete 💪 Resilient 🤝 Loyal

Macy (Melanie Lynskey)

Scott's wife, a shy clarinet-playing band member who anchors the family. She offers practical, steady support and pushes Scott toward a hopeful trajectory, reminding him of what matters beyond football. Her presence grounds the story in love and perseverance as the town faces hardship.

👪 Family 💞 Supportive 🎶 Musician

Hall (Marc Blucas)

Scott's old friend who made the NFL and married his high school girlfriend. He embodies the contrast between fame and hometown roots, highlighting the pull between leaving Coldwater and staying loyal to those he loves. His presence adds emotional weight and shared history to Scott's choices.

🏈 Pro 🤝 Friend 🎯 Motivated

Coach Hand (Kurt Russell)

The longtime coach who guides Scott and speaks with the town's voice. He embodies mentorship, humility, and the value of community over personal glory. The coach's wisdom helps Scott decide whether to chase a future with OSU or to honor Coldwater's legacy.

🏅 Coach 🧭 Mentor 🎖️ Wise

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:52

Major Themes – Touchback (2012)

Explore the central themes of Touchback (2012), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Redemption

Scott is given a chance to alter a defining tragedy. He re-examines choices with knowledge of the future. The redemption arc emphasizes humility and responsibility to family and town. It underscores that second chances require sacrifice and community support.

🏈 Sportsmanship

Football is more than a game; it's a catalyst for unity in Coldwater. The team learns to rely on each other rather than on a single star. The coach's speech about Coldwater's values frames the importance of collective effort over individual glory. The climactic play demonstrates cooperative strategy and trust.

⏳ Time and Fate

Time travel in the story enables reconsideration of past mistakes and the consequences of choices. The protagonist weighs personal ambition against communal well-being. The film portrays fate as malleable, but not entirely controllable, underscoring the weight of every decision. The harvest of the town at the end reflects the outcomes shaped by the updated timeline.

👪 Family and Community

Family anchors Scott's life and motivates his actions; his mother and Macy represent care and resilience. The town's people rally around the family in crisis, demonstrating close-knit social bonds. The ending suggests that a community's love can revitalize a person and a town.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:52

Unlock the Full Story of Touchback

Don't stop at just watching — explore Touchback in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Touchback is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Touchback Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Touchback, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Touchback Summary

Touchback Timeline

Track the full timeline of Touchback with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Touchback Timeline

Touchback Spoiler-Free Summary

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Touchback Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Touchback

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Touchback: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Touchback

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