A Review of ‘The Crossover’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

Jalyn Hall and Amir O’Neil in ‘The Crossover’ on Disney+. Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Moran/Disney+.

The coming-of-age story tends to follow a fairly specific formula. Wherein someone in their youth, often times a teenager, comes to discover that there is more to the world and more to life, courtesy of some kind of grand adventure or some kind of life-changing moment. One that informs them of those truths in a dynamic and thoughtful manner and allows for them to reach a powerful moment of growth and continue on with the lesson in hand. Which isn’t a bad formula by any means, simply because it really does spotlight the journey of discovery, we all go through when we begin to see the world in a different light. But it is perhaps… an incomplete formula at best, one that does indeed do the audience a bit of a disservice. 
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Since it motivates one to presume that there will indeed be a go-to moment where everything changed for us, when we reflect upon life in our later years… when in fact, that isn’t the case. For real life, features a series of moments and hardships that shape us and transform us into the person we will become, a journey… as mentioned before, and those moments are what we truly reflect upon and that is what should be expressed to youth. So, they understand and prepare for what growing up really looks like, and thankfully… we are seeing a shift in storytelling when it comes to this. For more and more stories are beginning to understand the importance of honesty when it comes to our coming-of-age moments and one particular show that truly shines regarding this is the brand-new Disney+ series, The Crossover.

A feat that this show accomplishes, by plunging us into the lives of the Bell family. One that is composed of the brilliant Doctor Crystal Bell, and her husband Chuck, who happens to be a former NBA player and he is the head coach of the local high school basketball team, where his sons Josh and Jordan play as well. And their lives are pretty awesome when we meet them. For they’re a healthy family unit, and Josh and Jordan have NBA dreams on their radar. But when Chuck’s health starts to take a turn for the worse… the family is pressed like never before and Jordan and Josh… must figure out how to navigate a new normal. One filled with new challenges that will test their resolve, their relationship, and their dreams, and force them to grow and understand the harsh realities of the world, and well… that is the perfect way to bring forth a realistic coming-of-age story. 

Because that is how life works, for when it rains it pours, and there is no guide as teenagers as to how we navigate all that in the moment. We simply do our best and hurt, and learn, and try to keep on the path that brings us happiness and at times, that is no easy task. Which brings forth, a powerful story to say the least. One that truly feels relatable from beginning to end. Since it does features moments and worries that we experience in our teenage years, and it really does feature genuine struggles and fears, the ones that teach us so much about life who we are as a person. Which also engages us into this story in a dynamic manner, since allows for us to truly care about this family and their lives and their future and what’s amazing… is that this series is quite inspirational in nature as well.

Courtesy of the fact, that Josh and Jordan are always looking ahead regardless of the difficulties of the moment or the odds that are seemingly against them. Which helps us to understand… how we grow when the going gets tough and how we stay strong in a healthy manner during that dark period, and how we honor our moral core in doing so. Which are lessons that are brought to life via wonderful and earnest performances from a talented cast and all of these elements make this, essential family viewing. Since it provides everyone that tunes in with plenty to ponder upon and discuss and the best news of all, is that you can start those discussions right away. For season one of The Crossover is available to stream on Disney+ right now, allowing for you and your family to enjoy a perfect coming-of-age story, one that finally presents that pivotal phase in our lives in a realistic and relatable manner. 

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