I approached this movie as an action flick, and in that sense I was not disappointed. The scenes where the sport of Rollerball is actually being played are top notch; gripping, involving and fast moving. The scenes in between where we see what the main character's personal life is like, those kind of dragged. And the film's attempt at social commentary, well, that just sucked.
A good deal of the problem rests with the main character. When he is not playing his sport, he spends a lot of time moping about his palatial estate, moaning about how being rich and famous isn't so great. And yet, like so many rich and famous people who find themselves in such a funk, he doesn't seem the least bit inclined to give up his wealth and fame. Thus, he comes across as a self-absorbed jerk who has everything and laments to a work-a-day audience (i.e., us) "is this all there is? Poor me, poor me!" Yeah, I really feel for you mister rich-and-famous guy.
And then there is the theme of individuality in a world that demands absolute conformity. The misfire of this message really comes across in the movies' final scenes. Before the final game begins, we see Johnathan's team glaring at him. They know that they are all going to die because the corporations have arranged this game specifically to get at him. And yet, he survives, and the film ends with a big cheer for the individual, as he is surrounded by the dead and maimed bodies of his friends and teammates. This isn't a vindication of the individual, this is a celebration of solipsism. We are supposed to feel inspired because, although Johnathan may have lost his friends and the people who backed him up, he got what he wanted, and that's what's really important.
I will agree with most of the other reviewers that this movie's message has become more relevant as time has gone by. I will disagree though that this has happened in the way the producers intended it to. Modern America has come to celebrate the individual to a point where narcissism isn't considered a problem, but a gift. "Rollerball" truly captures the spirit of narcissism and expects you to rejoice in it. personally, I couldn't.
A good deal of the problem rests with the main character. When he is not playing his sport, he spends a lot of time moping about his palatial estate, moaning about how being rich and famous isn't so great. And yet, like so many rich and famous people who find themselves in such a funk, he doesn't seem the least bit inclined to give up his wealth and fame. Thus, he comes across as a self-absorbed jerk who has everything and laments to a work-a-day audience (i.e., us) "is this all there is? Poor me, poor me!" Yeah, I really feel for you mister rich-and-famous guy.
And then there is the theme of individuality in a world that demands absolute conformity. The misfire of this message really comes across in the movies' final scenes. Before the final game begins, we see Johnathan's team glaring at him. They know that they are all going to die because the corporations have arranged this game specifically to get at him. And yet, he survives, and the film ends with a big cheer for the individual, as he is surrounded by the dead and maimed bodies of his friends and teammates. This isn't a vindication of the individual, this is a celebration of solipsism. We are supposed to feel inspired because, although Johnathan may have lost his friends and the people who backed him up, he got what he wanted, and that's what's really important.
I will agree with most of the other reviewers that this movie's message has become more relevant as time has gone by. I will disagree though that this has happened in the way the producers intended it to. Modern America has come to celebrate the individual to a point where narcissism isn't considered a problem, but a gift. "Rollerball" truly captures the spirit of narcissism and expects you to rejoice in it. personally, I couldn't.