Inspirational movie focuses on DeLand woman's grandson
BY KELLY CUCULIANSKY | Daytona Beach News-Journal

In the years before a reckless driving accident changed his family's life, a Georgia teenager would visit his grandparents in DeLand and spend summer days along the New Smyrna Beach seashore. Now, through "The 5th Quarter" film, 15-year-old Luke Abbate's life story and legacy will reach audiences throughout the country.

His grandmother, DeLand resident Joan Kinsey, said she hopes the independent film -- inspired by Luke and his family's true story -- is more than an evening of entertainment.

"Hopefully it's touching people's hearts as far as organ donation and safe driving," she said.

Luke's life came to an abrupt end in February 2006 when he hitched a ride from a schoolmate after lacrosse practice. In a severe case of reckless teenage driving, and over the objections of several passengers, the driver reached nearly 90 mph and lost control of the car, spinning off a narrow road and landing in an embankment.

The Marietta, Ga., teen suffered irreparable brain damage and died a couple of days later, just shy of his 16th birthday. Five people received his organs, including a young mother with heart disease who received Luke's heart.

In a tribute to the power of hope and love, "The 5th Quarter" tells the story of a family, school and community that rallied together as a team in memory of Luke. Aidan Quinn ("Legends of the Fall"), Andie MacDowell ("Four Weddings and a Funeral") and Ryan Merriman ("Home of the Giants") star in the movie.

As the Abbate family tried to rebuild their lives, Luke's older brother Jon decided to honor his brother's memory and love for football by changing his jersey number to Luke's No. 5 and dedicating the 2006 season at Wake Forest University to him.

Jon would signal his family sitting in the stands by holding up all five fingers at the end of the third quarter. The tradition caught on with the rest of the team until players from both teams and fans in the stands did so, too, until the last quarter was renamed "The 5th Quarter."

And despite losing several starting players, Wake Forest went on to complete their most successful season in school history, winning the Atlantic Coast Conference championship.

Luke's mother, Maryanne Abbate, who grew up in DeLand, said she agreed to share her son's story to honor his life.

After spending many hours being interviewed by and getting to know writer and director Rick Bieber ("Crazy," "Radio Flyer"), Abbate and her husband, Steven, 51, realized he cared enough and would ensure the story stayed on course, she said.

"It's a story of inspiration and hope," said Abbate, 50, a stay-at-home mother of four. "It's an important story because it does raise the awareness of reckless driving and the consequences of that."

Through the raw, visual grief on screen, Abbate said she hopes the film helps teenagers realize the impact their actions can have on others.

"One bad decision can change the landscape of a life for a lot of people and can make a real permanent consequence," she said.

Kinsey, who is also depicted in the movie, remembers her grandson as a rambunctious teen athlete who loved to tease her about all sorts of things, whether it was her hair or her driving, she said.

God now uses her grandson and his family to send a message about organ donation and safe driving through the Luke Abbate 5th Quarter Foundation, which sponsors college scholarships, she said.

"This movie was so true to life. You have your pain and depression and things like that, and it shows that," said Kinsey, a former St. Peter Catholic School principal whose husband, Bob Kinsey, is a deacon at the church. "And it shows how football brought the family together to bring some joy and hope."

"The 5th Quarter" will be available in select area theaters today, with a return scheduled in a few theaters later this month, according to marketing coordinators. Two theaters in Orlando will have the movie available through next week.

Fox Home Video will release the DVD on Aug. 31.