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A League of Ordinary Gentlemen is a documentary chock full of the human drama that is professional bowling. If you have ever attempted to knock down the pins at the end of a lane with any consistency you can understand the difficulty inherent in the sport. Yes, it’s a sport because skill is involved just as much as golf. For starters look at the seven ten split (where you have two pins to knock down with one roll, that are located on the opposite sides of the lane) that has to rank up there with the hole in one in golf. This film does an outstanding job of putting us in the shoes of bowlers as they try and grind out a living in a sport that has passed the public by.
The film begins with the PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) being acquired for $5 million dollars by a few former Microsoft executives. This is telling that an entire league can be purchased for what passes as a low salary for many athletes in sports such as baseball or basketball. In buying the PBA the hope is to reinvigorate a sport that’s highest ratings came in the 1970’s where it captivated more viewers than football. Steve Miller is appointed as the CEO of the company and right off the bat we know that his competitive nature will force him to succeed. We meet him working out and he is built like a body builder. He also has the mouth of a sailor and a no nonsense attitude. Miller is the man in charge of saving the league and making it cool again, but he is nothing without the bowlers.
We follow a few bowlers as they compete on the tour with aims of winning the World Championships of 2003. The film does a great job of spotlighting individuals who are in different stages of their career and life.Pete Weber is the entertainer and bad boy of the league with his signature crotch chop. He is the number two man and his father Dick Weber is considered the Michael Jordan of the sport. Walter Ray Williams Jr. is the top prize winner but considered dull to some. Chris Barnes is an up and comer who seems to be a family man first and professional bowler second. He has the talent but needs to focus to facilitate his obvious skill. Lastly there is Wayne Webb, a former player of the year, who is seen as wasted talent with his best bowling days behind him. He is trying to get his life together on his way to the championships.
What makes the film so engaging is the human drama that I mentioned previously. There are interesting characters to root for. Will Pete ever get out of his father’s shadow and be able to beat Walter Ray? Will Chris develop a more competitive edge and win more consistently? Have ...
