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thesundog
Reviews
Jack of all Trades (2018)
Card Collecting Catharsis
A genuine documentary about fandom--of fathers and of sports cards--and the sometimes harsh reality of our personal icons. It's a bit rough around the edges--perhaps by design--but imperfection is part and parcel of the whole. The movie morphs from an investigation of the baseball card boom and demise, into the tandem disillusionment of the card industry and a lost father. It's partly about an industry that profited from the adoration and hard-earned money of kids, then knowingly betrayed them for a buck. It's partly about a father-son relationship of adoration that was discarded. The movie, perhaps to its audience, and perhaps the filmmakers, is an investment that only pays off for those who are looking for value in deeper understanding. If you only bought baseball cards as a monetary investment, you may not get it. If you're only watching for the big, bold, complete resolution, you may not be satisfied. But there's catharsis and reconciliation and acceptance of truth here that might fill a void you didn't know you had. Well worth watching for me.