Unguarded (2011)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Another very good documentary from ESPN, this one taking a look at the career of Chris Herren, a Massacusettes player who was at the top of his high school and eventually got a scholarship to Boston College but it was around this time that he started experimenting with drugs. After leading Boston College he was given a second chance at Fresno State where he shined but once again drugs became an issue. After a stint with the Boston Celtics the drugs became too much and Herren found himself not working and near death. UNGUARDED is another very good film from ESPN and it's probably going to be their most meaningful to many people. There's no question that the message here is anti-drug and you can't help but be amazed at Herren's story. I'm sure most people are going to wonder why we need yet another documentary about a talented player who threw everything away for drugs but I'd probably answer that by saying if the film saves or inspires one person than it was needed and did its job. I think the most interesting thing about Herren's case is how extremely well he continued to play while on drugs. I was shocked to see one of his games at Fresno State where he pretty much ruled the entire game yet he was on drugs and hadn't slept. There's another story about him playing with the Celtics where minutes from the game he was outside on the street trying to score some drugs. The film features interviews with his friends and family as well as the likes of Rick Pitino and Jerry Tarkanian who coached him at Fresno. The film features Herren doing what he's currently doing, which is traveling to various places telling his story. We see him giving a speech at a drug rehab, a high school and a couple other places and it's clear that he certainly has a motivation skill and this story certainly speaks to people. I think the film's one flaw is the countless cutaway shots at people listening to the him story. I'm guessing this was done to show how caught up people were in the story but the story itself is strong enough to where the viewer doesn't need these cutaways to the crowd.
