LFG

"LFG" (2021 release; 104 min.) is a documentary about the US Women's National Soccer Team's law suit against the US Soccer Federation, demanding equal pay (as compared to the Men's National Soccer Team). As the movie opens, we get brief glimpses of Jessica McDonald, Megan Rapinoe, Kristen Press and others, explaining what "LFG" actually stands for (sorry, can't tell you or my review will violate review standards). We then go to "Day 1, March 8, 2019, International Women's Day", when the law suit is filed and the ladies explain in detail how things like money, training resources, traveling conditions (hotels and planes) are heavily skewed towards the Men's National Team, even though the Women's National Team is far more successful (multiple World Cups wins and Olympic Gold Medals). The law suit comes just 3 months before the 2019 World Cup opens in France. At this point we are 10 min. Into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from Oscar-nominated documentary makers (and husband and wife) Andrea Nix Fine and Sean Fine. Here they get seemingly unfettered access to many stars of the US Women's National Soccer Team as they battle for glory in the 2019 World Cup and they battle their employer (US Soccer Federation) for better (if not equal) pay. As to the documentary itself: it clearly shows the heavy toll the law suit takes on these ladies, while the USSF deploys any and all possible means (including law firms and lobbyists) to block the law suit at every possible level and instance, just disgraceful frankly. When Rapinoe makes a comment that then-President Trump trashes in a tweet, Rapinoe pushes back. Good for her. Lest anyone forget: Trump is the guy who tried to overthrow the US Congress because he didn't like the Nov '20 presidential election results (which showed who he is: a lyin' L-O-S-E-R). As to the substance of the law suit: this is an economic issue that should be easily resolved with a verified audit of the revenues generated by the Men's and the Women's soccer team. Instead the USSF argues that women are "inherently inferior" to men. No, really, they claim that with a straight face. Bottom line: this documentary is inspirational on so many levels. Hats off to the makers of this film, and of course to the women soccer players, who under tremendous pressure deliver on and off the field with grace and determination and skill (and whereas the US Men's National Soccer team embarrassed the game and didn't even qualify for the most recent World Cup).

"LFG" premiered at the recent Tribeca Film Festival and then went straight to HBO Max a few days ago, where I caught it the other night. If you have any interest in the state of soccer in this country, or how women continue to face gender discrimination to this very day, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

I guarantee you that most of the other reviewers didn't even watch the film. It's a compelling and well-made documentary that will appeal to fans of the sport, regardless of whether or not they've been following the lawsuit.

Most of the other reviewers have said they haven't even watched the film. If you care about women's rights and are not a caveman, this film is a great deep dive into the value institutions put on women's work. These women deserve equal pay.

How well this documentary is made is only surpassed by the message it conveys. A great watch!

This film is entertaining, educational, and enlightening. My only criticism is the film feels more like a PR pitch ("why the women deserve equal pay rates") than an analysis of the legal case. The US Soccer Federation refused to participate, so there's no "other side" presented. The women do absolutely deserve the opportunity to make equal pay rates to the men. But I would have liked to learn more about the counter arguments (for the sake of being better informed). There is a brief recap at the end where Megan does give a bit of context to the counter argument.

I hope more people will post reviews of the film itself. Currently the documentary has a very poor overall score due to 1 star reviews from users who are personally offended by the concept of gender equality (but have nothing direct to say about the film).