Reversal

Reversal
by Alan Vint

Reversal
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DVD details

Actor: Danny Mousetis, Dawn Lafferty, Derrick Nelson, Jimi Petulla, Kelly Vint
Director: Alan Vint
Brand: Vanguard
Producer: Jimi Petulla
Writer: Jimi Petulla
Cinematographer: William H. Molina
Producer: Albert Hasson
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-10-28
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Model: VF3406
Studio: Vanguard Cinema

DVD Reviews of Reversal

DVD Review: More than it seems...
Summary: 5 Stars

This film works on many different fronts. In one instance it can be viewed as a tribute to the sport of wrestling. It could also be seen as a cautionary tale about parents putting their own wishes over their childrens' needs. On a deeper level it brings to light issues about abuse, and the psychological trauma it leave on the victims. Critics and fans alike have praised this film for many different things, and many valid messages are expressed through this seemingly simple story about a high-school wrestler and his father/coach coming to terms with one another.

As other reviews have mentioned, the wrestling action is very authentic. By using real collegiate wrestlers (instead of actors pretending to wrestle) the matches show off the speed, intricacy, and awesome physical demands required of the sport.

The wrestling mindset is also heavily explored here, with mantras like "hard work always pays off" and "the world is better for winners", writer/producer/cast member Jimi Petulla details the mental aspects of motivation, desire, and focus in a sport which is so unsympathetic about dividing the winners from the losers. Petulla plays the main character's father, who after feeling emotionally deserted by his own father, seeks to build his own son into an undisputed winner and champion who will not suffer the same pitfalls and frustrations he has had to endure in life.

The cinematography highlighting a small Pennsylvania coal-mining town is beautifully done, and the natural dialog between the characters enhances the realistic setting of Anytown, USA. One gets the feeling that this same story has been played out countless times in small towns across the country, and will continue to repeat itself as long as fathers & sons & sports exist.

One complaint I had was with the unclear motivation of the main character's rival (who I belive is played by a national chamption at 119lbs.). In some scenes he appears to be a compassionate team-player, and other times he appears as a cold, calculating aggressor willing to trample on his teammates to fullfill his own agenda. Perhaps that duality was meant to show the struggle that some wrestlers have in switching on and off the competitiveness instilled within them. Aggression on the mat is to be tempered by being a gentleman and good citizen off the mat - this is something I think most wrestling coaches preach, and Petulla displays that wonderfully through pep-talks to his peewee wrestlers and his own son early on in the film.

I would have liked to see more of the wrestling action, but utimately this film is not about wrestling alone. Also, I would have liked to see the alternate ending make the final cut, however the quality of the film and its unconventional ending left me satisfied in a bittersweet way.

More Reversal reviews:
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Description of Reversal

"Anyone who ever sacrificed for a sport needs to see this film" ? Kurt Angle, Olympic Gold Medallist Based on a true story, Reversal is critically acclaimed for its truthful depiction of athletic competition. It is the coming-of-age tale set in the highly competitive world of high school wrestling. Leo Leoni (Mousetis) has been wrestling since he can remember and his life has been an endless cycle of training and sacrifice. His father/coach eyes college scholarship and athletic glory for his son. Now, Leo is seventeen and adolescence is making it difficult to stay disciplined and to concentrate. With the help of his girlfriend he is forced to grow up quickly and make tough choices in this real-as-it-gets tale of triumph of the human spirit.
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