Murderball

Watched a very good documentary last night called "Murderball", which was about a sport played by quadriplegics in specially modified wheelchairs. The actual name of the sport is quad rugby, but it was called Murderball when it was first invented. This isn't a warm-&-fuzzy, look-at-everything-they-have-overcome sort of thing. It's really a sports movie about unusual characters playing a little-known sport.

This sport is not for the timid. Broken fingers are fairly common and wheelchairs flip over regularly in spite of being specially modified to be particularly solidly balanced. The participants are strapped into the chairs, but it amazed me that head injuries weren't more common.

One particularly dramatic story is that of a former player who'd lost a little too much speed due to age and became the head coach for his former team's biggest rival. A particularly bitter rivalry ensues and is played out over the course of several major tournaments.

A jock father laments his son's interest in music and lack of interest in sports, though he loves his son dearly and doesn't fail to demonstrate it.

A group of young men discusses their unique techniques for picking up women.

The movie doesn't overly focus on the disabilities of the main characters, nor does it shy away from them. It's a good balance, and a very good film. Highly recommended, though I'd caution anyone who might be bothered by very salty language, explicit discussion of sex, or seeing the injured body parts of the athletes.