Brutal Beauty: Tales of the Rose City Rollers

'BRUTAL BEAUTY: TALES OF THE ROSE CITY ROLLERS': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)  

Portland film documentary on "The City of Roses" roller derby team 'Rose City Rollers'.  The film explains the popular contact sport to the viewer and why those involved in it are so passionate about it while it focuses on Portland's local roller derby heroines.  It was directed by first time filmmaker Chip Mabry and features 'Marollin' Monroe', 'Cadillac', 'Madam Bumpsalot', 'Rocket Mean' (as their known to their team and fans) and many others.  The film is educational (at least if you know very little about the sport like myself) as well as entertaining and enlightening.   

Roller derby has been around since at least the 1920's and became widely liked as sensational sports entertainment (like WWE) in the 1970's.  The film explores why the sport has suddenly became so popular again and especially in Portland, Oregon.  A film crew followed the Portland team around for a year and a half; filming the girls at practices, games and in their home lives.  Through interviews and live footage of the girls in action the film attempts to determine why they're so driven by the sport and how they've won over so many adoring fans.  There's also detailed information on the rules of the game and how it works (for the uneducated) as explained by the 'High Rollers' coach (one of the three 'Rose City Rollers' teams) and local Voodoo Doughnut employee Rob Lobster.

If you're interested in the sport at all the film is interesting, it's a little slow paced at times but there's enough cool and beautiful footage going on (throughout) to make up for any downtime. The film is not only informative but emotionally impacting as well. As the movie starts out it's a little scattered, with a lot of people and information introduced, but as it goes on it becomes quite involving and builds to a pretty satisfying conclusion. The directing and editing is impressive and the soundtrack is beautifully fitting. If you're a fan of roller derby you'll definitely want to check this film out.

Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj550csrEQk

"Brutal Beauty" is a mildly interesting documentary about a non-professional women's roller derby league. The teams in the film are from the Portland, Oregon area and despite the roughness of the sport, the women do it for the pleasure of playing--and get paid nothing. In fact, THEY have to pay to be in the league so it's obvious that they are really, really committed to the game.

Much of the film consists of a wide variety of interviews with the players and coach. Some of these are interesting (such as a social worker who plays and the women discussing their MANY injuries) and most of them, quite frankly, aren't all that interesting. And this gets to the heart of the problem I had with the film--a lot of it wasn't all that compelling and I think the film was much too long. Shortening the film and tightening the focus would have made for a much more interesting documentary.

By the way, if you do watch the film, don't be surprised with the VERY rough language--it goes with the territory!

I'm not setting out to join a roller derby team, but I thought about it. Brutal Beauty is awesome. I found the footage engaging throughout and the music very well thought out. I was inspired and learned about how everyday women can express another side of their personality that is not typically supported. Of course, it's a girl-power film, but the men seem to love the intensity this sport brings out in the women who play.

The way the director drew out the passion in each personality on film appeared so genuine and seamless. You can see each player come alive no matter what their position on the team. The editing and directing were exceptional. The teamwork was apparent as much behind the camera as in front. We got an authentic view of the inner workings of a sport revitalized and a generation empowered.