Rollerball Movie Review

Rollerball (1975)

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Written by: William Harrison (screenplay)
Directed by: Norman Jewison
Starring: James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game.

Verdict
I like the concepts in the movie, a world where wealth creates an even more stark divide. Unfortunately this doesn't explain why rollerball is important or how the sport is a danger to a society crafted by the rich. Is it the only form of entertainment? Does it exist to placate the masses?
The story hasn't been explored deeply enough to connect all the pieces. A stronger story would better cover the low production value, but the rollerball segments, which are numerous, lack any excitement.
Skip it.

Review
Rollerball is the sport that combines a circular track, skates, bikes, football, hockey, and a lot of violence. The first fifteen minutes is all rollerball. This passes for entertainment in the future and the best player is Jonathan E. (James Caan).

James Caan plays Jonathan E.

Low production values aside, this is an interesting look at a world ruled by corporations. Ostensibly the divide between the wealthy and the middle class is stark, but we don't actually see that. We see how little the players providing the entertainment are valued, though the movie does hint there are plenty of people willing to fill empty roster spots. The corporations want Jonathan E. to retire, and he can't figure out why.

Rollerball is a bit comical. It's not a compelling sport, and the extended sequences we see aren't very entertaining. With a league run by corporations, it seems that their increasingly dangerous approach to force Jonathan to retire would jeopardize their earnings from the sport. How do you capitalize on a team if the entire team is injured and unable to play?

This is a dystopian world that isn't that far out of reach. I like the concepts of control, but this is a story that needs a Black Mirror approach, providing a well thought out approach to how this world would work and how the corporations would benefit by trying to subjugate one rollerballer. Can the corporations really break the spirit of the population by forcing this one guy out? Was he that much of an inspiration? What importance does Jonathan E. have outside of a rollerball game?