Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game (2023) | Film Review

What if I told you that the game of pinball was once illegal in the United States? What if I told you that ban stood for thirty-five years? Insane as it might seem, the state of New York (as well as others) considered the descending silver ball to be a form of gambling. Crazy, but it’s true. A man by the name of Roger Sharpe was instrumental in convincing the government to lift its ban in 1976. Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game from sibling writers/directors Austin and Meredith Bragg tells his story in both dramatic and humorous fashion. I went into this film expecting to have a biased opinion on its quality because of my personal love for the game. Turns out that it’s a stellar movie that should appeal to more people than merely pinball wizards.

Without seeing the trailer, one might suspect that Pinball is a merely documentary about the legend Roger Sharpe. Instead, the Bragg brothers cleverly intertwine a drama with fourth wall breaking interviews. Sure, we’ve seen this done with sitcoms like The Office or even in comedy films like What We Do in the Shadows. This film adds a new element with a present-day Roger walking alongside his younger self as he narrates his life story to the audience. It’s an added touch that makes the story seem more personal. That coupled with scripted interviews in between story beats makes for an incredibly well-paced film. Not once did I feel the impulse to look at my watch; on the contrary, I found myself wanting more by the end of this 91-minute feature.

Another aspect that makes Pinball so special is how only roughly half of the movie is really about Roger’s final destination of convincing politicians that they were wrong. The other half tells a sweet love story of how he met his wife, Ellen and her son Seth. Where many films falter trying to shoehorn in a love story to appeal to a broader audience, it feels genuinely natural here. The writers even had some fun poking fun at how much Roger preferred to talk about his wife, which added a level of charm to the overall product. At the end of the day, however, it makes for a good mix of history lesson and romance that simply works.

The story climaxes with Roger standing before New York delegates to plead pinball’s case for legality. Knowing the tale being told actually happened makes it that much sweeter. This is especially true because Mr. Sharpe literally had to play a pinball table in front of politicians to prove that it’s a skill-based game and not just one of luck. It’s a lot of fun for pinball fanatics to see a gamer use their abilities for something meaningful, but even those who never bumped a flipper should find the story highly entertaining.

Mr. Sharpe, a self-admitted non-actor, played a key part in choosing the casting in Pinball. Mike Faist (West Side Story) portrays young Sharpe in a way that makes him instantly likable. You can’t help but cheer for him in both of his fights for love and pinball, thanks to this solid performance. Even more impressive is Dennis Boutsikaris‘ (Better Call Saul) older representation of our hero. He’s equal parts legend and seasoned gruff guy who borders on annoyed with his interviewer that makes more hilarious moments in between story moments. He’s most in his element when he’s talking to the camera, however. Roger’s passion shines through Boutsikaris’ performance, and he made me like the “character” that much more.

Equally as impressive is Crystal Reed (Crazy, Stupid Love & Gotham) as Ellen. Her adoration of Roger is only second to her love for her son, and I never doubted either for a second. Reed’s delivery is nothing short of delightful, even in the tough dramatic moments between her and the control hungry lead. The only large improvement I would have liked is in Ellen’s son. I’ve never met Seth, so maybe he was a quieter kid. But Christopher Convery‘s delivery felt a bit dry, even when he had a chance to show emotion in touching scenes. Faist clearly had a connection with him, but I was never quite sold on Seth’s connection with Roger.

The only other standout performance was Mike Doyle as GQ’s Jack Haber. He owned the screen in each scene where he was present, and I found myself wishing he were more than a supporting role.

Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game is more than a movie simply about the game of pinball. It’s equal parts humor and drama centered around a fascinating story of overcoming adversity in the face of bullheaded government officials. Pinball deserves more attention, as I truly believe film fans will find this a surprisingly delightful experience. Don’t let any lack of love for pinball steer you away from giving this film a shot.