The Fan Connection

The director and producer love their team and hometown; it shows throughout the documentary. You don't have to be a big sports fan (or a sports fan at all) to feel the rollercoaster of emotions Sabres fans go through losing season after losing season. These fans never give up and never give in to green pastures or New York City teams (the Buffalo Bills are a similar heartbreak for Buffalonians). They're Buffalo through and through, forever and always. Their loyalty is inspiring and a testament to the human spirit - no matter how bleak one's outlook, people can overcome the worst of anything. The bottom line - this documentary left me wanting to travel to Buffalo for a Sabres playoff game.

The fans chronicled in this documentary were relatable and as their stories unfolded you found yourself routing for their successes and feeling their heartaches.

The Fan Connection is really not just for sports fanatics, but fans of documentaries in general. The characters are really sweet and compelling. They are the kind of ordinary people we meet all the time, but whose stories are so rarely told in most media. The film is multi-layered - it's a film about sports, what turns people into fans, Buffalo, urban development and more. A unique film that is not only entertaining, but useful in promoting discussion and understanding.

Let me first start by saying I am not a Buffalo Sabres fan. I am a sports fan. Being from Chicago I'm a die-hard Cubs fan. Which is one reason I may have found this film so relatable. I connected with the people in this story. Their struggles with a team that doesn't always perform as well as you think they should. The excitement when they give you hope of playoffs and the disappointment when a game you need them to win they don't. The other thing I enjoyed about this film is yes it's about these fans' love of the team. But it's also about how this team brings together families and friends. It's also about the love for their city of Buffalo. Which plays a great role in this film. I loved learning a bit about the city. I didn't know much about Buffalo before this. I enjoyed getting to know about the fans that were highlighted in the film. We not only learn about their love for their team but also a bit about who they are. You don't need to be a fan of the Buffalo Sabres to enjoy this film. If you're a fan of any sport I think you'd enjoy watching this. It's a heartwarming story with a great group of characters.

The film gives an intimate look at several fans of the Buffalo Sabres. It's engaging and gives the wider world a glimpse into why Buffalo has the best, most dedicated, fans in the world.