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Reach Me

Reach Me is a , , and film written and directed by . The story centers on a motivational authored by a reclusive former coach, which goes and profoundly impacts a diverse group of individuals, including a , his editor, a former inmate, a , and a priest, leading to interconnected events that culminate in a confrontation at a . The film features an led by as the editor Gerald, alongside as the former inmate Colette, as the reclusive author Teddy, and supporting roles by , , and . Released on November 21, 2014, by Millennium Entertainment, Reach Me explores themes of personal transformation, redemption, and the power of inspiration through its multi-character narrative structure. Filmed primarily in , the production marked Stallone's return to a supporting role in an independent feature following his action-oriented blockbusters. Critically, the film received mixed to negative reviews, with praise for its ambitious ensemble and soundtrack but criticism for uneven pacing and underdeveloped subplots. On , it holds a 4% approval rating from critics based on 23 reviews, while the audience score is 46% (as of November 2025). assigns it a score of 21 out of 100, indicating "generally unfavorable" reception. Despite the lukewarm response, Reach Me has been noted for its uplifting message and the performances of its veteran cast.

Plot and Themes

Plot Summary

Reach Me is an ensemble dramedy that follows the interconnected lives of several diverse individuals in , all influenced by a titled Reach Me, written by the reclusive former coach Teddy Raymond (). The narrative centers on the book's message of positive thinking and second chances, which prompts readers to reassess their lives and pursue personal transformation. As the book gains widespread popularity, it serves as the common thread linking the protagonists' stories, exploring themes of and self-improvement through a multi-threaded structure. The plot introduces tabloid journalist Roger (Kevin Connolly), who embarks on a quest to uncover the mysterious identity of the book's author, driven by professional ambition and skepticism. His editor, Gerald (Sylvester Stallone), a publishing executive under pressure, assigns the story and grapples with the book's unexpected success and its broader implications. Meanwhile, recently released inmate Colette (Kyra Sedgwick), fresh from prison after an arson conviction, seeks to reintegrate into society while drawing inspiration from the book's empowering words. Additional threads involve undercover cop Wolfie (), who faces moral dilemmas in his line of work and finds solace in the book's guidance, and an alcoholic () who confronts his own faith struggles while counseling others affected by it. These characters' paths crisscross in unexpected ways, highlighting how the self-help manual sparks profound changes and connections among them in the bustling environment of .

Central Themes

The central theme of Reach Me revolves around personal transformation facilitated by anonymous inspiration from a , which encourages individuals to "reach" their untapped potential through empowering mantras that emphasize and second chances. This motif underscores the film's exploration of how subtle, indirect guidance can catalyze profound inner change, positioning the book as a symbolic catalyst for self-discovery amid everyday adversities. Redemption emerges as a key motif, particularly for flawed characters grappling with past failures, such as those emerging from incarceration or , who find renewed purpose and through the book's principles. The narrative illustrates this by depicting how confronting personal fears—ranging from financial ruin to —leads to purposeful reintegration into , highlighting the universal possibility of . The film offers a subtle of in contrast to authentic , portraying journalistic pursuits as often prioritizing over substance, which ultimately gives way to more genuine paths of personal growth. This tension reflects broader commentary on how modern can distort inspirational narratives, favoring hype over meaningful transformation. Through its ensemble structure, Reach Me emphasizes the interconnectedness of human struggles in contemporary urban existence, using as a vivid backdrop to juxtapose with unexpected bonds formed across diverse lives. This format reveals how individual journeys of self-improvement ripple outward, fostering connections that combat the alienation of city life.

Cast and Characters

Principal Cast

The principal cast of Reach Me (2014) comprises an ensemble of established actors embodying characters whose lives intersect with the influence of a , each representing distinct archetypes in pursuit of personal transformation. stars as Gerald, a high-pressure editor and publisher of an online tabloid who, as an abstract artist, confronts existential dissatisfaction amid career instability, turning to the book's motivational ethos for direction. Tom Berenger plays Teddy, the enigmatic and reclusive author of the self-help book Reach Me, a former football coach who embodies the archetype of the withdrawn sage whose anonymous wisdom unexpectedly catalyzes change in others. Kyra Sedgwick portrays Colette, a resilient ex-inmate recently released from prison, illustrating the archetype of the determined survivor who draws on the book's principles to rebuild her life post-incarceration. Thomas Jane depicts Wolfie, a morally conflicted undercover grappling with the psychological toll of his high-stakes work, using the narrative as a lens for and ethical reckoning. These lead performances anchor the film's exploration of interconnected lives shaped by the book's reach, highlighting themes of redemption and self-discovery without delving into specific narrative arcs.

Supporting Cast

The supporting cast of Reach Me features a diverse ensemble of actors portraying secondary characters whose lives intersect through the influence of a , adding depth to the film's interwoven narratives. plays Angelo Aldo Brandini, a charismatic and motivational figure who engages with the book's impact on those around him. portrays Wilson, a loyal manager providing support amid personal challenges tied to the story's themes of transformation. Kevin Connolly stars as Roger, an ambitious reporter driven to uncover the mystery behind the anonymous author, highlighting journalistic pursuit in the ensemble. appears as , Roger's professional colleague whose own backstory enriches the group's dynamics. Further bolstering the ensemble are as Dominic, a tough grappling with change; as E-Ruption, a rapper leveraging the book for his career; as Kersey, contributing to the web of influenced individuals; and as Father Paul, offering a spiritual perspective. These roles collectively depict a broad cross-section of society—from figures and criminals to religious leaders and media professionals—all affected by the book's message, underscoring the film's exploration of interconnected personal journeys.

Production

Development and Pre-Production

"Reach Me" was written and directed by , who drew inspiration from real-life phenomena, including his memories of televangelist and Napoleon Hill's book "." The script was completed prior to 2012, reflecting Herzfeld's personal experiences with ensemble storytelling, as seen in his earlier works like "." Herzfeld began assembling the cast that year, securing for a key role in November 2012 to leverage star power, followed by additions such as , , and . Financing faced initial challenges when a key withdrew, prompting Herzfeld and producers to launch a campaign on in August 2013, but it was cancelled despite surpassing its $250,000 goal with pledges of over $259,000, which were forfeited; they then switched to , which raised $178,640 to help complete funding for the approximately $5 million production. The film was produced by Rebekah Chaney, , Buddy Patrick, and Herzfeld himself under Seraphim Films.

Filming and Post-Production

Principal photography for Reach Me took place in late 2012 primarily in the area, with key locations including Veterans Park, the Redondo Beach Pier, and King Harbor in , as well as sites in El Segundo. The film's was overseen by Vern Nobles, who shot on to capture the urban landscapes and character-driven scenes central to the ensemble narrative. Post-production focused on editing the interwoven storylines of the multiple characters, handled by and Scott Boyd, and was completed in 2014 following funding challenges that arose after . An investor's withdrawal in 2013 created shortfalls, prompting crowdfunding efforts—a campaign that pledged over $259,000 but was cancelled with funds forfeited, followed by an drive that secured $178,640—to cover finishing costs. The completed film runs 95 minutes and earned a PG-13 rating from the MPAA for , , drug use, sexual content, and smoking. Production emphasized practical locations throughout, with no significant work required to maintain the grounded, inspirational tone.

Release and Marketing

Theatrical Release

Reach Me had its U.S. premiere as a on November 21, 2014, in select theaters across major markets including , , , , , , , and . The film was distributed domestically by Entertainment, reflecting its status which precluded a strategy. Internationally, the rollout was similarly restricted, with theatrical releases in markets such as the and beginning on January 22, 2015. Alongside its limited theatrical availability, the film was accessible via (VOD) platforms including , Amazon Instant Video, , Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox Video, and starting from the U.S. premiere date. Home media distribution followed shortly after, with DVD and Blu-ray releases occurring on December 30, 2014. The film received a PG-13 rating from the of America for , , and some , and has a runtime of 95 minutes.

Promotion and Distribution

The promotion of Reach Me centered on its ensemble cast and the film's core premise of a mysterious sparking life changes among diverse characters. The first official trailer was released on July 7, 2014, by Millennium Entertainment, showcasing stars like , , and while emphasizing the inspirational and interconnected narratives driven by the book's viral impact. A second trailer followed in September 2014, further highlighting the star power and motivational theme to generate buzz ahead of the release. To engage fans, the marketing campaign leveraged Stallone's established fanbase through online channels, including video shares on platforms like and promotions tied to the crowdfunding efforts. This approach built on the momentum from the film's earlier crowdfunding initiative, where Stallone's involvement helped raise over $250,000 on in 2013 before switching to due to platform policies on minimum pledges. Crowdfunding backers received tiered perks that aligned with the film's theme of communal inspiration from a book, including digital downloads, t-shirts, DVDs, and for higher contributions like $10,000, the opportunity to have a personal included in the film. These rewards fostered a sense of early community involvement, with some backers gaining access to exclusive updates and previews. Post-crowdfunding, distribution partnerships were secured with Seraphim Films and Windy Hill Pictures handling production, while Millennium Entertainment acquired U.S. rights at the for a day-and-date strategy. The film employed a limited theatrical rollout to cultivate word-of-mouth among niche audiences, in favor of targeted screenings and simultaneous video-on-demand availability. This approach, informed by the modest $250,000 goal from , prioritized accessible over wide theatrical expansion.

Reception

Critical Response

"Reach Me" received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics upon its release, earning a 4% approval rating on based on 23 reviews. The film also scored 21 out of 100 on , aggregating 14 critic reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable" reception. On , it holds a 4.9 out of 10 rating from over 3,400 user votes. Despite the poor consensus, some critics noted potential in the ensemble cast's talent, with highlighting how the "bewildering array of talented actors" was ultimately undermined by the material. praised writer-director John Herzfeld's brisk pacing and effective use of sex and violence to propel the narrative, suggesting his direction worked better in maintaining momentum than in developing quieter, introspective scenes. Major criticisms centered on the film's disjointed script, reliance on clichéd self-help tropes, and uneven pacing. Roger Ebert's review described it as "fundamentally misbegotten," awarding it 1 out of 4 stars for its confusing blend of tones and lack of coherence. Variety called the ensemble "insipid," criticizing the "hackneyed" elements and ludicrous plot twists that escalated into over-the-top . echoed these sentiments, labeling it a "dark comedy" that failed to balance its reclusive author premise with the myriad intersecting character arcs, resulting in tonal whiplash. While professional critics were harsh, a divide emerged with audiences, as some viewers on platforms like appreciated the film's inspirational message about personal growth and second chances, overlooking its structural flaws in favor of the uplifting core idea.

Box Office and Home Media Performance

Reach Me experienced a severely in the United States on November 21, 2014, playing in a small number of markets with no reported domestic earnings. Internationally, the film grossed $26,013, with $24,296 earned in the and $1,717 in . Produced on a $5 million , the movie's worldwide theatrical total of $26,013 represented a significant financial underperformance. The limited release strategy, combined with poor , prompted a rapid shift to home media and digital platforms shortly after its brief theatrical run. sales provided modest returns, with estimated domestic DVD sales of $69,203 and Blu-ray sales of $25,909, totaling approximately $95,112 in video revenue. Video-on-demand performance was stronger, bolstered by the film's including and , which appealed to streaming audiences seeking inspirational content. In the long term, Reach Me has found availability on platforms such as , contributing to a niche among self-help enthusiasts drawn to its themes of personal transformation through a viral motivational .

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