Yes-absolutely-"Zupan is an asshole, he was before his accident and he is now". This memorable comment early on in this lovable, laugh-a-minute-just kidding-film was made by an old acquaintance of Zupan from high school and it definitely sets the tone of the film. A person can not enjoy Murderball-you can admire it, be interested by it, even respect it but you can not enjoy it-except if you play it.
Rubin's direction was sublime-there was not a minute that I was not glued to all that was on the screen and because he also was the cinematographer, the action on the screen was continuous. The actual action of the game was mesmerizing but the action of the character's minds demanded even closer attention by the viewer.
The nuances of handicapped life were unwrapped before an audience that I would suspect had little encounter with any of the subjects examined by Rubin: attraction, disability cause, sex, public reactions, mundane personal chores and most of all-sporting competition.
Because the film was extraordinarily personal, within minutes of watching I took an instant dislike of Zupan and for the remainder of the film nursed an overwhelming desire to hit him head on at full speed on the competition floor.
An excellent door into a little examined facet of life-make an effort to see it.
