Character-Driven Narrative Surpasses Expectations

Read Time:3 Minute, 27 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Game 6
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Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sport
Year Released: 2005, 2021 Ronin Flix Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 27m
Director(s): Michael Hoffman
Writer(s): Don DeLillo
Cast: Michael Keaton, Griffin Dunne, Shalom Harlow, Bebe Neuwirth, Catherine O'Hara, Harris Yulin, Robert Downey Jr.
Where To Watch: available to order from www.roninflix.com

RAVING REVIEW: When you see Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and Robert Downey Jr., you can’t help but prepare yourself for a wild ride, but what does GAME 6 have in store? This unique independent feeling film, meticulously written by Don DeLillo, fuses the vitality of sports with the charm of theatre while dealing with a whirlwind of personal and professional hurdles. Commanding the spotlight is Michael Keaton, who slips into the role of Nicky Rogan, the celebrated playwright. Keaton is one of those actors that have just been around forever; he always pops up every few years in random projects, which is another in that long line.

Rogan finds himself in the arena of life instead of the comfort of the theatre, playing against personal upheaval and professional challenges. The result? A narrative as layered as it is compelling. The film takes us into the heart of October 25, 1986 – a day imprinted on every Red Sox fan's heart. On this day of the World Series Game 6, Rogan chooses the thrill of the ballpark over his own play's premiere. However, despite his hopes for a victory, his apprehensions echo the ghosts of the Sox's past.

As Rogan grapples with these feelings, he is challenged by the theatre critic Steven Schwimmer (Robert Downey Jr.) in a face-off reminiscent of some of the moments from Keaton's role in BIRDMAN. Meanwhile, the off-stage drama almost rivals the on-stage action. An unfortunate issue plagues his leading actor, and the prospect of a looming divorce threatens Rogan's personal life, all while the stress of his team’s legacy hangs in the balance.

While GAME 6 often leans towards a more intentionally theatrical performance, it retains its cinematic charm. Each character contributes to the story's fabric, with Keaton's embodiment of Nicky Rogan being the standout as the Red Sox wobble on the precipice of defeat.

Keaton truly embodies the rollercoaster ride of a Red Sox devotee (I would know, being a Cubs fan) who finds the journey of his team's rise to be as perilous as their fall, echoing the team's notorious history of hope and glorious failure. GAME 6 steps outside the traditional sports narrative, presenting a detailed character study that captivates its audience. The film is far more about the characters than the game itself, which was a welcome change. I was waiting patiently for the world of the game to overtake the film's narrative, but it always kept its distance in a way where you were aware of its presence, but it never consumed the film.

The film's ending aligns with the day of Rogan's newest play's debut, coinciding with the final face-off between the Red Sox and the Mets. As the anticipation peaks, his world faces some of its biggest struggles yet, further deepening Rogan's depression. Keaton's eloquent and extravagant personification of Rogan was nearly Oscar-worthy, although some of the supporting cast took his performance down a notch.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
– High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation (1.85:1)
– DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo
– NEW 2K SCAN from the best available film elements
– The Making of GAME 6
– Audio Commentary by Director Michael Hoffman
– Theatrical Trailer

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[photo courtesy of RONIN FLIX]