| Beyond
the Mat At first, this behind-the-scenes
documentary about professional wrestling seems as
if it will be an unabashed fan's whitewash of the
increasingly bizarre and popular world of
"sports entertainment," as it is known.
But director Barry Blaustein (a Saturday Night
Live veteran who has cowritten many of Eddie
Murphy's films) goes much deeper than you'd
expect in a film that is at once entertaining and
disturbing. By focusing on a trio of wrestlers
who give him surprising access, Blaustein
uncovers human stories that can be wrenching in
their stark honesty. That's particularly true of
one-time superstar Jake "The Snake"
Roberts, whose career has fallen on hard times
because of a crack habit; Roberts brings
Blaustein along for his first encounter in
several years with his grown, estranged daughter.
Blaustein also goes into the lives of Terry Funk
and Mick "Mankind" Foley in ways that
are both revealing and, at times, upsetting. More
than just a fan's appreciation, this is that rare
documentary that shows you sides of a familiar
subject you never knew existed. -- Amazon.com
Starring: The
Rock, Mankind, Terry Funk, Jake "The
Snake" Roberts, WCW, WWF, et al.
Director: Barry W
Blaustein
The
Movie Vince McMahon DOESN'T Want You To
See!
Release Date:
August 22, 2000
Rating: R
Approximate
Running Time: 90 minutes
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