B Plus Movies

The early seventies saw an explosion of enlightened self interest as millions of Americans were starting to lose a little of their national identity and start asking who they really were. It seemed for a time like it might turn into a real raising of consciousness, riding on the enthusiasm and hopefulness of the late sixties, but instead turned into a kind of an indulgent mess. While self help gurus got rich, disco became popular and superficiality became acceptable the seeds of the movement did survive, but only barely.Proof: The original Rollerball.

The movie revolves around the sport of Rollerball, in which men roll around a track on roller skates, occasionally being towed by guys on motorcycles, chasing after a heavy metal ball which they attempt to scoop up and put in a goal before the opposing team beats them into a mushy wet spot. This is all produced, funded and run by the nameless, faceless mega-corporations much the same way that the NFL or NASCAR is run today if Wal-Mart was also the government. The star player of this team sport is Jonathan E., played by James Caan.

After putting his team within tasting range of the championship, Jonathan is approached by the team’s sponsor and told he’s not to compete. Not taking this too well, Jonathan continues to play. In response, the game starts to lose rules about unnecessary roughness and personal fouls. As the game gets deadlier, Jonathan gets more determined and eventually we get to find out why it is that they want him not to play.

Rollerball looks dated, from the old style skates to the 70’s era “futuristic” decor. If you look past that, you get to see a powerful tale about the triumph of the individual, something akin to the core of what the “me” movement in the 70’s was trying to accomplish at it’s best. The message remains relevant, especially today as more arenas get named for cell phone companies than war heroes and advertising becomes more and more inescapable.

The pace of the film suffers a little from the passage of time and no doubt people watching this in the 21st century will find their patience tried a little, but beyond that there’s little to criticize in this movie.

Rollerball, I proclaim the B+. I recommend checking this out, even if you saw the critically panned 2002 remake. I can understand why a director might want to redo this movie, just for the wide collared polyester suits alone, but there is no reason to update this movie’s message. Like Gloria Gaynor, it will survive.

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