Elizabeth Posey and Lou Ferrigno Jr. in Resisting Roots from Passionflix. Photo: Passionflix
Resisting Roots is the latest movie to hit Passionflix, and it’s absolutely charming. Based on the book by Audrey Carlan, the movie is everything fans are hoping for and so much more.
Elizabeth Posey and Lou Ferrigno Jr. bring yoga instructor Genevieve and baseball star Trent to life. Posey’s soft, almost breathless voice is perfect for kind and caring Genevieve; she brings a natural calmness to all of her scenes like she’s been teaching yoga all her life. Her smile lights up the screen. Yoga instructors need a certain aura when they practice, and that aura carries over to their everyday lives. It’s why Genevieve is able to care for her siblings and deal with all of the pressure that comes with such lofty responsibilities with such eloquence and grace. Posey flawlessly captures the essence of Genevieve’s personality.
Ferrigno Jr.’s Trent is brash and cocky at the start of the movie as the character deals with being benched by an injury. For Ferrigno Jr. it’s all about facial expressions. You can see Trent’s initial wariness at being sent to yoga classes as part of this therapy. The wariness disappears when he sees Genevieve and his expression becomes delightfully transparent as the first impressions of her go through his mind.
Between Ferrigno Jr.’s intensity and Posey’s grace, you have a perfect match. Director Louise Alston (The Will) brings out the best in their performances, giving them space to show their feelings instead of saying what they’re thinking. (Of course, Trent has no problem saying what’s on his mind…)
The supporting cast is brilliant. Brady Hepner’s Rowan has no problem navigating the fine line between trying to be the man of the house when he’s just a kid himself. Addelyn German’s Mary is adorable. Joseph Curtis Callendar’s lovably brash Ross captures the essence of the concerned and frustrated agent trying to get his star player back on the field. And Tosca Musk’s cameo is delightful.
I’ve been waiting for Resisting Roots for a long time. Thanks to my years spent as an academic counselor for athletes, I’m actually very familiar with baseball players doing yoga. I couldn’t wait to see Trent Fox on screen. Lou Ferrigno Jr. absolutely nails the frustration of an injured athlete with the initial confusion — and then full acceptance — of what happens when athletes do yoga for the first time.
Resisting Roots is sweet and funny and steamy. Genevieve and Trent are a couple to root for and it won’t take long for viewers to fall in love with their love story. They’re a wonderful addition to the memorable couples living out their happy ever afters on Passionflix.
Resisting Roots premieres July 14 on Passionflix.
