Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game

Name: Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: March 17, 2023
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Bryan Batt, Carlos Lopez, Christopher Convery, Connor Ratliff, Crystal Reed

2023

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 4 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

See All

7.2

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.2	Your Score
7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game

Now Playing: Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game

Movie Details & Credits

Vertical Entertainment | Release Date: March 17, 2023 | Not Rated

Starring: Bryan Batt, Carlos Lopez, Christopher Convery, Connor Ratliff, Crystal Reed, Dennis Boutsikaris, Mike Doyle, Mike Faist, Olivia Koukol, Todd Susman

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 whileAn 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 falling in love with Ellen, 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.… Expand

Director: Austin Bragg and Meredith Bragg

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 91 min

See All Details and Credits

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Richard Brody

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. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Sheila O'Malley

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. Read full review

Noel Murray

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. Read full review

Glenn Kenny

Mar 23, 2023

The movie strives for a knowing, amiable tone. It achieves a cutesy, slight one instead. Read full review

SEE ALL 4 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Mixed:

User Reviews

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JeffroJones

Mar 26, 2023

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I *SO* wanted to like a movie about pinball, but it's mainly a cliched relationship movie. There is a pretty girl who smiles too much. There is a kid who is sad and we must feel sorry for him. SPOILER: Love triumphs in the end. Pinball is kept to a minimum. SPOILER: His fake mustache is ridiculous, what is going on with fake mustaches in movies, looking at you, Kenneth Branagh. Anyway, little pinball, mucho cliched smoochiness.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SEE ALL 2 REVIEWS