X
- 2017
- TV-MA
- Netflix
- 2 h
- 2017
- TV-MA
- Netflix
- 2 h
Summary When Bryan Fogel sets out to uncover the truth about doping in sports, a chance meeting with a Russian scientist transforms his story from a personal experiment into a geopolitical thriller involving dirty urine, unexplained death and Olympic Gold-exposing the biggest scandal in sports history.
Directed By: Bryan Fogel
Written By: Mark Monroe, Jon Bertain, Timothy Rode
- 2017
- TV-MA
- Netflix
- 2 h
- 2017
- TV-MA
- Netflix
- 2 h
Icarus
68
7.4
Where to Watch
Summary When Bryan Fogel sets out to uncover the truth about doping in sports, a chance meeting with a Russian scientist transforms his story from a personal experiment into a geopolitical thriller involving dirty urine, unexplained death and Olympic Gold-exposing the biggest scandal in sports history.
Directed By: Bryan Fogel
Written By: Mark Monroe, Jon Bertain, Timothy Rode
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
68
88% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
6% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
6% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
68
88% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
6% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
6% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Given all the attention on Russia in recent news coverage, Fogel’s Putin-centric approach will likely prove more effective than a deeper investigation into just how widespread such behavior is around the globe. But the greater takeaway is that the game itself is rigged, and the Russians only lost because they got caught.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 77 User Ratings
7.4
82% Positive
63 Ratings
63 Ratings
10% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
8% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 77 User Ratings
7.4
82% Positive
63 Ratings
63 Ratings
10% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
8% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
The game has had flaws, but they update the game every single week since launch. Any game I get over 500 hours in I think deserves a 10/10.
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This documentary is like going to McDonalds and getting a burger with a side of filet mignon. The only bad is the title, although creative, may discourage wider audience. Although with Russian doping as the main premise this documentary is really about deception, manipulation and morality in general. It draws easy parallels with Orwell's 1984, which is a bit of a cliche, but surprisingly fitting.
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It’s a movie that only begins as a commentary on doping in sports and becomes something greater about the dangers of being a whistleblower, especially when the whistle blows on Russia.
Mr. Fogel could be considered either daring or foolhardy for his initial plan. But his work with Dr. Rodchenkov is levelheaded, and his documentary illuminating.
Though the documentary’s early musings about athletic integrity in general are ultimately usurped by a tale of personal responsibility and nefarious global power, the disruption feels acute and essential.
Fogel’s only other filmmaking credit, the romcom “Jewtopia,” doesn’t suggest the makings of a sophisticated nonfiction storyteller, and Icarus suffers from an imitative quality that’s hard to shake. Fortunately, Rodchenkov’s dilemma single-handedly keeps Icarus engaging throughout.
A routinely assembled mélange of provocative material consistently undone by its maker's perplexing need to foist himself into the center of every conversation.
(Mauro Lanari)
And Thomas Hicks who in 1904 won the marathon at the St. Louis Olympics with the help of strychnine and brandy provided by his assistants during the race and collapsed after reaching the finish line? And the 2007 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature to Gibney's "The Armstrong Lie"? Fogel starts from this last cyclist never quoting his fellow director, and "Icarus" relegates itself within too narrow historical-chronological and spatial-geopolitical boundaries.
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[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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What a bad, bad documentary. Lot's of flaws, but 3 of the biggest: 1. A documentary meant to "shed light on an issue" of which most people are already aware, and which has been covered to death by the media, isn't very compelling. 2. The documentarian, if he isn't rock dumb, certainly comes across that way. He features himself in a lot of the film, but adds next to nothing. 3. Adding dramatic music to scenes with zero drama does not make them dramatic.
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Production Company
Alex Productions,
Chicago Media Project,
Diamond Docs,
Impact Partners,
Makemake,
Rise Films
Release Date Aug 4, 2017
Duration 2 h
Rating TV-MA
Genres
Tagline Truth is the new banned substance
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Primetime Emmy Awards
• 3 Nominations
Cinema Eye Honors Awards, US
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
