It took Canadian filmmaker Frederick Kroetsch 10 years to reach his original goal of creating reality TV out of his subject, wrestler Teddy Hart, but when he finally did, the film became as much about Kroetsch's journey as it did Hart's trainwreck life. In my mind, Kroetsch succeeded in telling both fascinating stories and rewarded our patience with that tragic almost-anticipated twist at the end. I know absolutely nothing about wrestling, pro, amateur or otherwise, but it becomes clear that the women in Hart's life are both enablers and victims, often at the same time. I feel sorry for the family legacy Hart shamed, the women he destroyed, I even feel sorry for the cats, but Kroetsch is, I suspect, a better filmmaker and a better man for the experience. It's sad he could not uncover whatever happened to Samantha Fiddler, she and her family deserved better than that arrogant weasel. I'm glad the project finally reached a screen and I enjoyed it very much.
As insightful about the filmmaker's journey as its ostensible subject
30 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers