PINBALL: THE MAN WHO SAVED THE GAME
The true story of Roger Sharpe, the GQ journalist and real-life pinball wizard, who in 1976 helped overturn New York City’s 35-year ban on pinball.
SYNOPSIS
An unsettled writer with a fantastic mustache, Roger Sharpe (Mike Faist), finds solace and confidence in one thing he has mastered: pinball. When a police raid destroys the only machines he can find in 1970s New York City, he learns the game is illegal. Roger reluctantly joins forces with the Music and Amusement Association to overturn the ban while falling in love with Ellen (Crystal Reed), an artist and single mother. Roger’s path to save pinball ultimately rescues him. He and Ellen overcome their pasts and take a shot at love. Roger learns what it means to take a chance–and that commitment is the most rewarding gamble of all. Based on a true story.
Director
Austin Bragg, Meredith Bragg
WITH
Mike Faist, Crystal Reed, Dennis Boutsikaris, Christopher Convery, Damian Young, Mike Doyle
Run Time
1 hour, 31 minutes
Released
March 17, 2023
Distributed by
Vertical Entertainment
HEARING AND VISUAL ASSISTANCE
Assisted Listening
Country
United States
SUBTITLES
None
NOT RATED
Many of the films shown at The Ross are not rated due to the prohibitive cost of acquiring a rating from the Motion Picture Association of America. Consequently, as many of these films contain graphic content, viewer discretion is advised.
SHOWINGS
MAR 31 | FRI
5:15, 7:30 p.m.
APR 1 | SAT
1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 p.m.
APR 2 | SUN
5:15, 7:15, 9:15 p.m.
APR 3 | MON
5:15, 7:15, 9:15 p.m.
APR 4 | TUE
5:15, 7:15, 9:15 p.m.
APR 5 | WED
5:15, 7:15, 9:15 p.m.
APR 6 | THU
5:15, 7:15, 9:15 p.m.
APR 7 | FRI
5:15, 7:15, 9:15 p.m.
APR 8 | SAT
1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 p.m.
APR 9 | SUN
1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 p.m.
APR 10 | MON
5:15, 7:15, 9:15 p.m.
APR 11 | TUE
5:15 p.m.
APR 12 | WED
5:15, 7:15, 9:15 p.m.
APR 13 | THU
5:15, 7:15, 9:15 p.m.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
It started as a simple, quirky historical footnote: a long-haired, impressively mustachioed twentysomething “saves pinball” by calling his shot in front of a handful of crusty, skeptical politicians. By proving it’s a game of skill, Roger Sharpe helped lift a ban on pinball that had been on the books for 35 years in New York City.
Like a cross between Babe Ruth and Moses, Roger set pinball free.
But after talking with Roger for hours, we came to understand a deeper story that had yet to be told. Roger may have saved pinball, but the path he took to get there ultimately rescued him. At its core, this is a coming-of-age story about the value of taking chances and how commitment can be the most rewarding gamble of all.
As Roger says, “Life is defined by risk: those you take and those you don’t. The ball is gonna drain no matter what, so find what you want and take a shot.”
And, be honest—that mustache is fantastic.
REVIEWS
“I’d recommend not scrutinizing Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game too closely or too promptly, and simply savoring the unusual spectrum of artistic virtues that I found myself admiring—and admiring again, on a second viewing, purely for pleasure.”
“Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game is strictly low stakes. This is part of its knowing charm.”