Review: Catching Hell

The long awaited Steve Bartman documentary, Catching Hell, from ESPN Films made its Canadian debut on Thursday night. The film, directed by Alex Gibney, details the events that transpired at Wrigley Field on October 14th, 2003 and the fallout that ensued for Bartman, a then 26-year old lifelong Cubs fan. 

The film works as an account of the incident and the parameters that led to the vilification of Bartman after he obstructed Moises Alou's chance at grabbing the fateful foul ball that would have put the Cubs four outs away from a World Series berth. Ultimately, it's a film about scapegoating in sports culture. Although it's a documentary about Bartman, the incident that altered his life and Cubs futility - there's a great deal of emphasis on the infamous Bill Buckner booted ground ball from the 1986 World Series. 

While Bartman remains the focus of the film throughout, the parallels between the scorn that was levied upon himself and Buckner serve as a narrative that works to expose the dark depths of sports fandom. Gibney does an excellent job of highlighting the parameters of both events, reiterating that neither the Bartman incident or Buckner's error can effectively be labeled as events that single-handedly destroyed a team's shot at glory. 

As is often overlooked by the casual fan or on account of ignorance, Mookie Wilson's grounder that proved to be too much for Buckner to handle DID allow the Mets to score the winning run in Game 6 and tie the series, but it was Bob Stanley's wild pitch that kept the Mets hopes alive. Never mind that a Game 7 still had to be played. The Red Sox would have another shot extinguishing the Curse of the Bambino two nights later. This is where Bartman's story and Buckner's intersect. Yes Bartman prevented Moises Alou from making the inning's second out, but it was complete Cubs meltdown and an Alex Gonzalez bobble at shortstop that enabled the Marlins to pile up eight runs and eventually take the win, forcing a Game 7. 

What Gibney does well with this film is expose the shallowness that sports fans (and media) can sink to in an effort to rationalize failure. The juxtaposition between Buckner and Alou and the impact that each event has had on their legacies is also an interesting story line. 

In Closing

While I'll refrain from placing Catching Hell among the upper echelon of ESPN Films, it's a solid documentary. Unfortunately, Bartman did not participate, which negates any chance at the film conclusively providing closure. It's impossible to walk away from a viewing of the film and not feel some level of sympathy for Bartman. He was unfairly labelled a scapegoat and the events have driven him to live a reclusive lifestyle.

The film's finest moments are contained in the video footage of the game (oh, the lost dominance of Mark Prior) and the footage of security working to move Bartman to safety shortly after the incident. The death threats and abuse that Bartman faces on his way out make for some excruciating moments. 

Overall, Catching Hell is very good, if not great. It works more as a testament to the depths of hatred and irrational behaviour that humans can sink to in the name of sports than a movie about Bartman and the foul ball. 

Like Bill Buckner, we can only hope that one day Steve Bartman finds redemption in a Cubs World Series win or at least an episdoe of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

7.5/10