Still We Believe: The Boston Red Sox Movie

First, let me say that I am a die-hard Yankee fan, season ticket holder, the whole deal. I hate the Red Sox as much as most of the people posting on this board hate my team. That being said, I really did enjoy this documentary. It reminds me of the good ol' days when the Red Sox fulfilled that role of the poor, sympathetic team that lost when it mattered yet the crazy passionate fans still supported them. And I have to say, Yankee fan or Red Sox fan, there were certain moments in the film where I could imagine a Yankee fan acting in a similarly fervent way. Because when you get down to it, no matter which of the two teams you root for, the real fans care the same amount: More than anything.

First, this film is about the fans, not about the players or even the season. Yes, it was an incredible season with a horrifying finish, but the film is about the fans' reactions, not the games themselves. And it really is for Sox fans, or relatives of Sox fans! Nearly unwatchable before the 2004 World Series, it's now an absolute MUST for those in the Nation who have become arrogant and nasty. The Nation ain't what it was, which is fine, because who doesn't like winning better than losing? On the other hand, something important was lost, something that was tattooed on our souls and which we passed on generation to generation. I miss it, and I love this film!

Ok, fine, if you're not a Red Sox fan there is little chance of you enjoying this movie. BUT I get the feeling that this movie isn't made for you non-Red Sox fans (we refer to you as "special" here in Boston) but is actually made for people like me, the faithful.

In terms of ground breaking documentaries, this is not among them, but is instead a fun way to spend some time in a movie theater. The film focuses on the 2003 baseball season, which was a wicked sweet one, up until that last game, which hurt like nothing has hurt before. Spending it's time split between the antics of the team and the relationship between the fans. Well made, as far as pop documentaries go, and HIGHLY recommended to anyone who loves baseball.

8/10

Still We Believe: The Boston Red Sox Movie (2004)

*** (out of 4)

Good documentary that covers the 2003 Red Sox season with their fans as well as some behind the scenes footage. Overall, it was a fun documentary but the filmmakers spend way too much time with the regular season stuff when more time should have been given to the playoffs since these playoffs were probably the greatest in the history of the sport with that classic (and legendary) game 7 between the Sox and Yanks. A lot of media attention goes to the Red Sox fans but even Angry Bill isn't nearly as bad as Kentucky Wildcats fans.

First, this movie is definitely for seasoned Red Sox fans, who will swear they've said the same lines used by fans in this film, or felt the same "code-blue" emotional highs and lows. If you hate the Sox, of course you won't bother with "Still We Believe"; but it might just spur on a newcomer to enter the madness with the rest of us, who feel weird when the Team appears on the very brink of finally entering Valhalla, only to have our worst, worst fears played out before the rest of baseball fandom.

The movie follows the entire 2003 Red Sox season in what I felt was a very interesting and engaging way. True, I think more highlights of the games would've helped, but we learn more about the "terminal" disorder of being a Sox fan from the expressions on the faces of the people chosen to "star" in this documentary than we would from images already etched in our collective memory. A great effort nonetheless, and worth watching. 7/10