Ronnie O'Sullivan: The Edge of Everything

I love Ronnie O Sullivan. Just like I loved other snooker mavericks Alex Higgins and Jimmy White. And this documentary was for the most part an intriguing portrayal of the angst that goes along with the genius. But why oh why does the film have to show Ronnie lying down in a psychiatric like bed to make his point? Not his idea surely? It was incredibly contrived and made me sigh every time I saw it. The viewers do not need gimmicks to try to understand the inner turmoil that the great man has undoubtedly had to face through his 30 year brilliant and at times difficult career. Sometimes you only need the snooker and the talking heads to tell the story. You don't need contrived gimmicks. An 8 out of ten is marked down to 6 for dumbing this otherwise excellent documentary down. A big mis-step in my view. Left me annoyed.

I'm a pool and snooker player and I grew up watching Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry. They were incredible to watch and clinical in the way they played the game and mastered the mental control needed to win at high level.

Then along came Ronnie O'Sullivan and, my god! He made the game into his own art form. If you've played the game and watched it you recognise an X factor to this guy which sets him apart.

He's an inspiration to me, how he plays with feeling and instinct and with pure natural talent. The flow of his game. But most of all, as is brilliantly portrayed in this documentary, his ability to overcome his demons on the big stage again and again is remarkable. The film shows that the most mercurial talents are the most captivating to watch. It also really gives you the sense of the intensity of performing in an often claustrophobic arena, the camera constantly on your face looking for any reaction.

The documentary is well-paced, and covers most of the ground contained in the books about Ronnie. There is however an elephant in the room - that Ronnie doesn't even mention his children. Surely that has to be a massively important part of any father's story. I'm sure it's because he wants to shield them from exposure, but I still find it an omission which makes the story incomplete.

That's the only reason I didn't give it a 10!

This for me is one of the best biographical documentaries I have ever seen. It gives an in depth insight into the mental toughness it takes to stay on top of "your game" in the pinnacle of sports, it delves into a "young Ronnie" growing up and the special bond he had with his father , he could quite easily have hung up his cue due to a family crisis involving his father, but the emotional turmoil he endured during this crisis acted as a catalyst and lit a fire inside him. The movie jumps back and forward in time leading up to Ronnie and his attempt at a record equaling 7th world championship. Ronnie Wood and Damien Hirst , close friends of "Ronnie O' Sullivan " give some great insights into his mindset. This documentary is an absolute must for any Snooker fan and proves that even celebrity cannot mask you from a mental health issue.

We all know Ronnie is a special breed. I used to dislike him, I thought he was arrogant, immature and obnoxious. But then I started watching him play and developed a respect for him as a sportsman. Only after that did discover enough about this tortured soul that changed my mind about him.

He is still the little boy who is looking for approval from his larger than life father. And thought that being successful was the key to happiness. He found out it wasn't.

This documentary captures his struggle perfectly. A man driven to find the horizon that is always moving away. It shines a light into his nature and those who orbit him.

It's entertaining, masterfully photographed and edited, with a beautiful score. A huge payoff in the finale too.

The documentary delves into the life and career of Ronnie O'Sullivan, yet it falls short in showcasing the full breadth of his remarkable achievements in snooker. While it offers a deep insight into his personal struggles and demons, it disproportionately focuses on his private life rather than highlighting his unparalleled feats on the snooker table.

Regrettably, the documentary fails to substantiate Ronnie's widely acclaimed title as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in snooker. It neglects to underscore his extraordinary records, setting aside his incredible sporting milestones that may stand unbeaten for generations to come.

Moreover, the portrayal of Ronnie's charisma and the intense respect and fear he commands from opponents seems insufficient. His magnetic personality and the aura he exudes in the snooker world are sidelined, leaving a void in capturing the essence of his dominance and impact on the sport.

At times, the documentary appears to dwell excessively on moments of self-pity, detracting from the celebration of his illustrious career. The overemphasis on personal struggles, while essential to understanding the man behind the player, unfortunately overshadows the celebration of his sporting genius.

In conclusion, while offering an intimate look at Ronnie O'Sullivan's personal life, the documentary misses the mark in truly encapsulating his unparalleled legacy as a snooker icon. It lacks the necessary balance between personal narrative and showcasing his sporting excellence, leaving viewers yearning for a more comprehensive tribute to his incredible talent and achievements on the snooker table.