User reviews

No matter if your into sports or not I recommend this film

This was an extremely eye opening documentary in which the notoriety of the NBA takes a backseat to the importance of mental health. I love the game, and knew very little about Ron Artest/Metta World Peace before this. But now I truly respect him as a survivor and advocate of an issue that normal is coupled with shame. I would suggest that this story be replayed in communities (schools) in which young men are struggling with this same issue with no outlets for help.

We've been conditioned to look at the MSM narrative of troubling and/or 'thug' behavior through a cyclical lens, rather than the prism of mental illness- now that certainly doesn't excuse poor behavior, however when we start to realize that no matter the level of 'fame', income, socioeconomic situation, etc., and view the person as a person, rather than placing ridiculous expectations onto someone who is incapable of living up to said expectations, we might begin to see those struggling be able to seek out help, and grow into their capabilities. Ron Artest is a perfect study of the effects of the psyche being directly related to a world view that's self-destructive, self-loathing and completely destroys any future their talents may escalate them to. This man's struggles and his subsequent rise to success are the epitome of the absolute power to overcome inner demons and become the person you are meant to be. I'm a Bulls fan by nature, but having watched Artest from his St Johns days, I've never been so happy to see someone win a championship as I have when he finally was able to see that psychological and psychiatric help CAN work, and does work, if you're willing to put the work into it. Thanking his psychiatrist and psychologist was the epitome of seeing someone finally being happy in the skin he's in, he acknowledged his failures regarding the Pacers, because he realized he made poor choices, and was able to rise above. I'm so pleased with this documentary and the raw truth this lays open- mental illness affects many people, and it's up to us to try to understand and extend some empathy for others, rather than castigate someone for behavior we know nothing about, other than the short sound byte the media wishes to drive- pushing a false narrative that only pushes others into a deeper hole. It's not hard to root for his continued success, and this film is a wonderful example of having courage to talk about this still stigmatized illness and I will be recommending this to others enthusiastically. Well done. Continued success to Mr Artest, and I'm happy to see him not only thriving but genuinely happy.

I expected to hate it, but I liked it. Because it doesn't really make apologies for him. He admits that he couldn't control himself, blames mental health to a degree, but also blames himself significantly.

Most importantly, people seem to be speaking truthfully, including him. I believed him. He seemed genuinely embarrassed by his life, and his team mates seemed earnest about wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt, while retaining some resentment.

The footage is great, the interviews just long enough, the editing excellent, and the arc effective. The best part is when he finds redemption with a championship and admits to the world that he let down his former Indiana teammates in the worst way.

I was amazed that the guy who threw the cup of soda was willing to appear. Although I didn't really get a sense of whether he felt remorse. But at least he admitted what he did, and it's role in the whole thing.

Even Kobe tries very hard to be fair and not arrogant. It kept my interest, and that's not an easy task.

A bright light shown on a very difficult subject many don't understand.

A fantastic film that deals with a very difficult subject matter. I was hesitant to watch it at first since the majority of Showtime's sports docs are not really docs, just PR films where the athlete's clearly have editorial control. But this film, Disgraced and Outcry clearly stand out from the rest of their library. It's beautifully shot and paced and Artest doesn't hide from anything from his controversial career. The most eye opening person in this is Jermaine O'Neal. You feel his pain from Artest's destructive path that cost him not only multiple championships but legal issues as well. Great film.