I Can

Katelyn Pavey was born in Indiana with only one fully formed arm and still became one of the best college softball players at her level. For years she turned down anyone who wanted to film her life, until she was talked round by her own pastor, Tyler Sansom, who is also the director of 'I Can'. The drama, Christian in outlook and largely paid for by the family's church in Corydon, doesn't stop at the sporting feat.

It begins seventeen years earlier with Eric and Salena, who meet while both are married to other people. Katelyn is born of that affair, and when they see the baby is missing most of her left arm, Eric gets an idea into his head that he can't shake off: that this is a punishment for what they did. His mother keeps telling him God doesn't make mistakes. He isn't convinced.

In high school, Katelyn plays centre field for the team her father coaches. She catches the ball, pulls the glove off with her short arm and throws with the same hand in one movement, and she hits well enough for college scouts to start turning up in the stands. Then comes a serious leg injury on a run to first base, with surgery and a wheelchair, and the girl who had always worked hard not to look different stops saying the two words of the title.

Danner Brown makes her debut as Katelyn, although in the game scenes the one hitting and throwing is Katelyn Pavey herself, who doubled for her own character. Jeff Armstrong and Amanda Verkamp are the parents, Daniel Roebuck the grandfather and Cameron Arnett, seen in 'Overcomer', the college coach. The doctor is Vernon Wells, Wez in 'Mad Max 2'. Evan Mitchum wrote the script.

Kappa Studios released it in the United States on 22 September 2023 in 135 cinemas, where it took $140,005 over its first weekend. The mainstream press barely reviewed it. Christian and family outlets liked it, for the way it tells the affair without hiding it, and the complaints were about some stiff acting and a story that ends up being more about the father than the daughter.

• Drama
• Family
• Sports