Last Chance (2016 film)

Last Chance is a 2016 American sports documentary film directed by Ron Yassen. The film follows a group of underprivileged and at-risk high school football players at Meridian High School in Mississippi. The team, the Meridian Wildcats, is coached by Larry Weems, who is trying to guide his players both on and off the field, helping them navigate challenges such as poverty, violence, and lack of opportunity.

The documentary chronicles the team's 2015 season, focusing on the individual stories of several players and their struggles to improve their lives through football. It examines the complexities of race, class, and ambition in a small Southern town. The film highlights the role of football as a potential pathway to college and a better future for these young men, while also showing the harsh realities and the limited options many face. Last Chance attempts to offer a nuanced portrayal of the players and their community, avoiding simplistic narratives of either success or failure. The film received mostly positive reviews, with critics praising its intimate access to the players' lives and its sensitive handling of complex social issues.