X
  • 2023
  • Vertical Entertainment
  • 1 h 35 m
  • 2023
  • Vertical Entertainment
  • 1 h 35 m

Summary An unsettled writer with a fantastic mustache, Roger Sharpe, 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 ...

Directed By: Austin Bragg, Meredith Bragg

Written By: Austin Bragg, Meredith Bragg

  • 2023
  • Vertical Entertainment
  • 1 h 35 m
  • 2023
  • Vertical Entertainment
  • 1 h 35 m

Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game

Metascore Generally Favorable
64
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 12 User Ratings
7.7
My Score
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Summary An unsettled writer with a fantastic mustache, Roger Sharpe, 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 ...

Directed By: Austin Bragg, Meredith Bragg

Written By: Austin Bragg, Meredith Bragg

Where to Watch

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 4 Critic Reviews
64
50% Positive
2 Reviews
50% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 4 Critic Reviews
64
50% Positive
2 Reviews
50% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
90
Mar 23, 2023
The Braggs pull off the vertiginous intricacy of this narrative with playful cheer and breezy charm, which is carried along by the performances, and also by the heartiness of the story itself.
By Richard Brody FULL REVIEW
75
Mar 23, 2023
The film doesn't burden pinball machines with more meaning than they can stand. Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game is strictly low stakes. This is part of its knowing charm.
By Sheila O'Malley FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 12 User Ratings
7.7
83% Positive
10 Ratings
8% Mixed
1 Rating
8% Negative
1 Rating

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 12 User Ratings
7.7
83% Positive
10 Ratings
8% Mixed
1 Rating
8% Negative
1 Rating

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
tedbarnett
Aug 24, 2023
A sweet, fictionalized take on a true story -- with an excellent cast. Glad this story is being told. It's absurd that pinball was illegal for decades in New York City (and elsewhere). Bravo.
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8
Akoltuniuk
Dec 28, 2023
A fun and lovely film about this man who saved Pinball in the United States. I interned for the company that made this film and I would definitely recommend checking it out!
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60
Mar 23, 2023
Anyone interested in gaming history will find a lot to enjoy here; and the general niceness helps make what is essentially a fun 15-minute anecdote tolerable for 90.
By Noel Murray FULL REVIEW
40
Mar 23, 2023
The movie strives for a knowing, amiable tone. It achieves a cutesy, slight one instead.
By Glenn Kenny FULL REVIEW
See All 4 Critic Reviews
7
chemicalE
Apr 16, 2023
Faist shines, despite the somewhat awful moustache, though they did put effort to match the original. Screenplay makes it feel like you're watching a pinball movie; it's so fun. Boutsikaris is great as well. Feel-good movie, which felt a little rushed at the end, but really liked it overall.
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5
CriticalCritter
Jun 5, 2023
Ah, Pinball, the game that holds a special place in my heart. I even possess a similar book that delves into the fascinating history of these mesmerizing machines. Naturally, when I discovered there was a movie centered around pinball, my excitement knew no bounds! It's a shame that there aren't many films celebrating this iconic source of entertainment that has captivated countless individuals. The premise seemed promising, brimming with potential for a captivating story. However, prepare yourself for a sudden plot twist, as it veers off-course into the realm of a run-of-the-mill romcom. Now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with a romcom, but seriously? This story is as thin as a sheet of paper. Boy meets girl, boy performs a heroic act, girl falls head over heels in love, and, oh yes, they play some pinball and save the world. It's a lovely, fluffy tale that offers a brief moment of warmth, but it falls disappointingly short of delivering anything substantial. What a missed opportunity! With a touch more substance, it could have actually been a decent romcom. And let's not forget the mustache, which looks like it was cast separately. It's as if it has a life of its own, stealing the spotlight from the lackluster storyline. Nevertheless, it's ****. It's nothing more than an okay flick that you'll swiftly forget.
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2
JeffroJones
Mar 26, 2023
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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Details

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Production Company MPI Original Films, Choice Films
Release Date Mar 17, 2023
Duration 1 h 35 m
Genres
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Awards

Heartland International Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Savannah Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Three Rivers Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

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