Review: The glory days, they are so often remembered much as the song of the same name by Bruce Springsteen. There is something both magical and haunting about the phrase. On one hand it is proof of something great we were once a part of, but it's also the proof of greatness passing us by. Some can relive these moments in a detached way, reflecting and learning from these moments, but others find the memories eating away at them till they whittle away to almost nothing. Faded Glory is a recollection of this latter attitude and for the most party, it captures it flawlessly. An audience initial feelings of this directorial debut most likely will be disgust. Here's the son of a successful attorney who lacks any focus in life making a movie about how he longs for his past sporting greatness and the resolution of his daddy issues. And let me tell you, he has daddy issues. Interviews with his father are totally irrelevant to the story but one can't help but notice the subtle undertones of mutual disgust and frustration the two father and son have for each other. It's not entirely that they don't love each other, but it's clear neither can understand the other but long for resolution. But Faded Glory is not a slow moving drama, it embodies the lifestyles and mindset of the players it follows: it's rough, it's full of problems and it doesn't give a shit because it knows it's too good looking not to notice. And it's that badass approach that saves the documentary. No film student should ever look at this as a masterpiece. It's riddled with holes, it takes way too long to introduce the characters, it lacks a proper climactic moment and follows a few too many side trails. But doggonit, it just shouldn't be any other way. I've never seen a film reflect the personality and lifestyle of its character so exactly. Frustration and fascination abound, and despite all of that, you really find yourself rooting for the same assholes you hated throughout high school and college. Richard Cohen will probably never be able to branch into documentary filmmaking in any proper way, but it's clear he poured his soul into this project and audiences will appreciate it. This isn't a documentary to admire, it's a documentary you'll just love. The characters are great (though occasionally watered down), the story is heartwarming (though disjointed) and it's one of the few films I've seen where both tragedy and triumph intermingle. So gather your friends, tap the keg and get ready for an enjoyable film that's worth watching over and over and over again. Review by Matthew Abshire Informative: 4- somehow allows you into the mind of the star without becoming too biased towards him Entertainment: 5- it's like cheering on your favorite sporting event Technical: 3- never has so wrong seemed so right Overall: 4- it ain't pretty, but wow is it good
Faded Glory
Format: Theater Year: 2009 Running Time: 100 Min Distributor: Endorphin Entertainment Producer: Richard Cohen and Michael Murphy Director: Richard Cohen Date Reviewed: 5-4-2009 Story: This is the true story of National Network, of a group of 40-something athletes who never gave up the dream of playing big league baseball at a competitive level. Faded Glory follows the trials and tribulations of the Network 38+ team and how they fought through devastating injuries, personal tragedies, divorce, bankruptcy, intervention, incarceration and even a sudden death one month before the tournament in their quest towards both the National Amateur Baseball Association and Men's Senior Baseball League World Series titles (From film).