Reviews

Wow! The greatness of this documentary exceeded tenfolds my expectation. Reminiscent of "Spellbound", this documentary deals with a subject that can be considered living on the margins of "hot documentary topics", but when you have a very talented filmmaker telling its story, you find a drama that is very human.

On the surface, this documentary is about classic arcade games (focusing on Donkey Kong) and its players. But by the end of it, you will see what it means to stand up for what it's right, to stand up against your friend, to find the will to continue after what seems to be endless hurdles, and to stay decent and true when it feels like it doesn't do you anymore good - all play out in front of you in a movie about Donkey Kong.

As the credits roll, you will continue to find yourself rooting fervidly for the film's protagonist, Steve Wiebe, and wish that he does find what he is looking for.

Until "The Man from Earth", the last film that took place in only one setting (not even another space within the same premise) for nearly the entirety of its narrative length, that fully captured my attention was Louis Malle's "My Dinner with Andre". Sure, there has been a few movies in between that had a similar scenario, but somehow, they always end up compromising themselves in the end - adding some twist or "shock" value to reward the audience's patience; to give them a closure. But in both MDWA and TMFE, the premises were laid out in the beginning to suggest that there's no hidden surprises, and it gives you a choice to leave or stay for what comes ahead. Any emotions provoked come from the words of the protagonist, no embellishments whatsoever. In spite of the bad lighting, inconsistency in technicality, or some questionable choice of music, this film is a fine example of what a strong screenplay can accomplish.