Marinovich Project

Year: 2011

Grade: B+

Country: USA

Director: Dorsey/Stephan

Review

documentary about todd marinovich. it’s kind of a classic story. father pushes son too hard, son breaks when he smells freedom. it catalogs todd’s extremely hard work, his father’s unusual workouts, the hype surrounding both, the promise and the inevitable fall. todd still struggles with his drug abuse today, but it’s good to see him talk about his past and be reflective. he talks about getting dirty looks from people because he threw away so much. he points out that it’s his to throw away. it’s a point of view you wouldn’t normally hear. i don’t entirely agree with it, but i understand it. when you reach that level, for better or worse, people place a lot of hopes in you. it’s a tragic story and a not unfamiliar one.

it resonates with me because i’m from LA so i saw marinovich at usc and i saw my dad pin his hopes for the raiders on him. i think i have the potential to be a hard ass dad like marinovich sr. and of course i’ve seen drug abuse first hand as well.