I recently had the chance to view a couple of interesting and well-received documentaries from a few years back, Murderball (2005) and Spellbound (2003). I think both films excelled in the sociological scrutiny of their prospective worlds of competition, however Murderball, which looks at he world of competitive wheelchair rugby, was visually more compelling and showcased more colorful characters than Spellbound, which is not to detract from its achievements, it’s just to say that I found it more entertaining.
Essentially, Murderball focuses on the USA national team and its rivalry with the Canadian National team. This rivalry is exacerbated by the fact that a once prominent player, Joe Soares, has become the head coach of the Canadian team due to bad blood over being replaced by the American team, which he interpreted as a slight. Soars is your typical foul-mouthed competitive coach ala Bobby Knight. He is a monomaniacal bully and disciplinarian whose disdain for his bookish son only abates after the incredibly intense man suffers a heart attack and emerges a little bit mellower. His son, on the contrary, could have been one of the socially awkward contestants from Spellbound given his lack or age appropriate social skills and intellectual precociousness. There are some memorable characters on the American team as well, and none as colorful as Mark Zupan, a fierce competitor with tribal tattoos and goatee who strikes fear in to the other competitors. Andy Cohen with his shock of blonde hair and boyish good looks also stands out. Another player, Scott Hogsett, hails from my hometown of Spokane, Washington and graduated four years behind me. It is an entertaining film that also manages to bear witness to the triumph of the human spirit over ruthless setbacks caused by injury and disease. Humans do have a great capacity for adapting and learning to live in any situation.
Spellbound was most fascinating in the variety of socioeconomic and racial backgrounds of the eight contestants that they follow through The National Spelling Bee. Clearly these kids are precociously intelligent and unfortunately are doomed to ridicule and derision from their peers at least until they get to college and become adults where their intelligence will be appreciated and celebrated. I think it presents a diverse picture of America with east-India born immigrants, African Americans, wealthy au pair employing professionals, low income families, etc… My strongest impression to the film was that the Spelling Bee was probably the place where most of these kids felt most at home with their super intelligent socially awkward peers. I couldn’t help but noting that they still have to suffer through the turbulent junior high school and high school experiences. It would be fascinating if the documentaries filmmakers would catch up with these 8 children say 15-20 years after this Spelling Bee and see what has become of them, like the 49 Up series.
I thought both documentaries were outstanding--I agree with you. Also, you mention the "Up" series. Did you find 49up a bit of a disappointment? I did. I felt the characters changed so much between 35 and 42, and between 42 and 49 it was much of the same. That's not to say it was poorly made--just that 49up was a letdown.
Two other notes:
My dad was Hogsett's lawyer
I saw The Matador and I really liked it. Also recommended VERY highly: The Devil and Daniel Johnston.
Posted by: Eric | February 20, 2007 at 03:38 AM
In regards to 49 Up I haven't manged to get acces to see it yet, but I have seen the other films starting with 28 Up, so I'm anticipating it. But you've brought down my expectations a bit, but perhaps this is a comment on life in general perhaps once you get in your 40s things become more stable as you have become who you will be and you are less likely to experiment or change, more set in your ways-established in your careeer etc...youth is all about discovering who you are in comparison. I've been trying to geet The Devil and Daniel Johnston as well, but again have gotten access to it yet.
I don't know if you still watch The Simpson , but this week, Season 18 episode 13, is a paradoy of 49 Up and it's pretty funny.
I'm glad you liked The Matador
Posted by: MC | February 20, 2007 at 10:05 AM
i'm now making it a goal of mine to change a lot between 42 and 49
Posted by: lou ford | February 21, 2007 at 03:07 AM
You mean like how you've changed so much since college;)
Posted by: MC | February 21, 2007 at 07:55 AM
yeah, i know.
I was slightly depressed yesterday after spending president's day in a bar playing Asteroids. I thought to myself, "i've been doing this kinda thing since i was 21, (and i would have been doing it earlier if they'd let me in taverns) - when am i going to grow up?
do i need to watch all the 7up films, or which one is the best?
Posted by: lou ford | February 21, 2007 at 09:45 AM
Hmmm intersting question. The last one I saw, 42 Up, had footage from all the previous films, but I guess each particular film focuses on what the person is up to at that particular moment in their life. It seemed like people changed the most between 21 and 35, that benig said I started with 28 Up I believe. So I would suggest starting there.
Posted by: MC | February 21, 2007 at 10:47 AM
1. Having seen 21 Up when it first came out as a freshman in college makes me feel old.
2. The Devil and Daniel Johnston is indeed very good.
3. Lou, that's what expensive therapists are for. Accept spending paid holidays playing Asteroids in bars when you're 64 now and you'll be a lot happier, and richer, then.
4. Another documentary that comes to mind for some reason, though isn't as new, is Paradise Lost.
Posted by: ozzy osmond | February 27, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Whoops, I'm not THAT old! It was 28 Up I saw in college, not 21 Up.
Posted by: ozzy osmond | March 01, 2007 at 01:40 AM