No No: A Dockumentary

No, No: A Dockumentary was extremely enthusiastically received at its Texas premiere at the Paramount Theater at the SXSW Film Festival. The film is a remarkable portrait of a baseball pitcher Dock Ellis who played in the major leagues from 1968-1979, mostly with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dock refused to conform to the norms of his time and instead became a leader of his team who was not afraid to challenge racial barriers and stereotypes. Like most first-rate sports documentaries, No, No is about much more than just sports. In a time of social change, Dock challenged those around him in an era when African-American baseball players were expected to conform; Dock did anything but conform.

The film begins with the most famous element of his career that he once pitched a no-hitter while high on LSD, but it uses this antidote to explore his much more complex story. Instead of painting Dock in black-and-white terms as either a hero or a villain the film draws out the complex picture of deeply flawed and complex human. He excelled athletically despite his long-term addiction which wreaked havoc in his personal life. Yet, when he finally gets clean he excels as a drug counselor and motivational speaker trying to prevent others from repeating his own mistakes. The editing and storytelling is compelling and audience often convulsed with laughter upon hearing Dock's friends recall his often absurd antics as a player and a person. By the end, you feel like you know Dock with all of his flaws and all his humanity.

A well-done film featuring interviews with baseball legends, Hollywood director Ron Howard, vintage Pirates like Blass, Al Oliver, Bob Robertson and others, and interviews with Dock Ellis himself. The movie traces Dock's journey from a gifted pitcher who threw a no-hitter on LSD, faced Vida Blue in the 1971 All Star Game, and eventually faced his addictions and became a counselor to other addicts. If you liked this film, you'll also love "Baseball's Last Hero: 21 Clemente Stories", another new film showing the spiritual journey of the great Roberto Clemente who was Dock's teammate and mentor. " Baseball's Last Hero" is the companion film to this film and is also on IMDb and Amazon. Both films go beyond baseball to say something meaningful.

Greetings again from the darkness. Caught this one at the Dallas International Film Festival, and the most impressive part of director Jeff Radice's approach is just how much he attempts to tackle. Most baseball fans immediately associate the name Dock Ellis with his much publicized 1970 no-hitter thrown while under the influence of LSD. Radice doesn't focus on the baseball side of this story, but rather much more of the man and the times.

One must be of a certain age to have watched Dock Ellis pitch (he retired in 1979), and the era must be considered when understanding his often outspoken and arrogant behavior. Jackie Robinson had long ago broken the color barrier in baseball, but it wasn't until the early 1970's when things really started to change. 1971 saw the first all black and brown lineup from the Pirates (with Dock Ellis on the mound). The blacks and Latins interviewed here recall the moment they noticed.

In addition to his baseball and related antics, we get some history on his marriages, style, drug abuse and struggle to remain healthy near the end of his career. Radice scores with the numerous interviews of former teammates, as well as friends and family. Steve Blass and Bruce Kison provide a contrast to the words of Dave Cash, Mudcat Grant and Al Oliver, but the most insight comes from Ellis' friends and family. This is where we see the hope and disappointment that Dock produced.

We also see the later years as Dock became a drug counselor and educated many on the mistakes he had made. Radice uses a 1981 movie called "Dugout" features former major league pitcher Bo Belinsky talking to little-leaguers about the importance of staying on the right track ... the parallels to the career of Dock Ellis are obvious.

Some terrific game footage is used, but one of the most interesting moments occurs when Brad Corbet, Jr explains how his father (former owner of Texas Rangers) had interaction with Dock Ellis the player, and later with Dock Ellis the addiction counselor. There is also much made about "everyone" in baseball being on "greenies" (amphetemines) during the era ... an interesting contrast to the steroid era. The main thing we learn is that there was much more to Dock Ellis than LSD and curlers in his hair.

I've always been a big baseball fan and I barely knew this guy's name beyond the no-hitter story. He was an important and courageous player in speaking out against unfair treatment back when there was still a lot of racism in the game and to make it in the big leagues as a black man you had to be a star. His honesty about his drug and alcohol abuse also helped open the door into this darker side of sports. Baseball has always been a traditional game interested in protecting its image, so guys like Ellis were a challenge. It seems to me that he was good for the game and helped change occur at a faster rate than it might have without him.

From thequickflickcritic.blogspot.com/

With the baseball season in full swing now here's a throwback to one of the sport's stars of the past whose legacy after he left the game is far more lasting than anything he ever did on the diamond.

You don't have to be a fan of baseball as I am to appreciate the captivating tale of redemption candidly and affectingly told in 2014's "No No: A Dockumentary". Before seeing the film, I had always regarded the fact that gifted yet troubled Major League All-Star pitcher Dock Ellis once hurled a no-hitter while tripping on acid to be cool. Almost cute in a way.

Learning that Ellis was a severe drug addict and alcoholic, and that he claims to have never pitched a game during his 12-year big league career when he wasn't "high as a kite", just absolutely broke my heart. This guy was such a favorite of mine and my friends when we were growing up in the '70's.

However, it is after watching "No No" that Ellis emerges as a genuine hero. We are privileged to witness the all-in investment of this man's total soul in supporting fellow addicts as they navigate through a new world, having emerged as he had done from the hell life becomes when substance abuse becomes your only purpose for existing.

Ellis left us in 2008, his liver having failed, the organ finally succumbing to decades of self-inflicted torture. His passing, while certainly before his time, was nonetheless preceded by years of humility and humanity.

It is this legacy, and not that which he accomplished "between the white lines", that Ellis will forever be remembered with undying gratitude by those he touched, and who were in desperate need of both his guidance and his grace.