Review: Not Just A Game ReelWorld Screening

by Vakeesh Velummylum

17, April 2011Events, ReviewsView Comments

Dir. JEREMY EARP

2010

I had the pleasant opportunity to catch the screening of Not Just A Game at the ReelWorld Film Festival. In the film, renowned sports commentator Dave Zirin, discusses the correlation of sports and politics through footage of significant and historic moments in American sports. In this narrative essay he addresses the intrinsic political elements of sports and its application to American society and vice versa, despite the overwhelming desire to keep both separate.

This film which makes an overwhelming case to be a part of the 30 for 30 ESPN collection, cohesively touches on the many social issues in which people have used sports as a megaphone to perpetuate a message. Some of the outspoken individuals Zirin discusses are Muhammed Ali, Jackie Robinson, Billie Jean King, Pat Tillman, Tommie Smith and John Carlos.

An interesting facet of the film was the discussion around the major sports industries being an extensive and lucrative recruiting marketer for the American military service. This is no secret by any margin, but the surprising extent is thoroughly presented in Not Just A Game.

This documentary is a must watch for sports fans or people interested in iconic sports figures. The film was produced primarily for the purpose of lectures and in class usage; as a result it has a run time of only 60 minutes in length. Zirin was not able to be as comprehensive as he would of liked as he expressed in his Q&A session after the screening of the film. However the film is concise and Zirin’s entertaining narrative will definitely intrigue even the smallest of sports fans.

79/100 - The film is concise and Zirin’s entertaining narrative will definitely intrigue even the smallest of sports fans.

Vakeesh Velummylum

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Films are far more than an escape for me, it is the most expressive medium of art. It contains many permutations and combination of possibilities and I like to examine it all with a fine tooth comb and see how well they bind together. So with much enthusiasm I share with you this keen interest.