Stephen Curry: Underrated - A Review at the SIFF

Stephen Curry: Underrated [2023]

Film

This film was viewed at the 49th Seattle International Film Festival

Synopsis: Following the college career of Stephen Curry, we see how he overcame scouts believing his skills as not translatable to the NBA, setting records, becoming an NBA champion and superstar.

As an NBA fan, it is difficult to quantify the impact of Stephen Curry on the game. From quick hitting 3's, logo shots, and his famous turn-away-after-popping-a-ridiculous-3, he has transformed the league and the idea of the three pointer. Just look at what Markquis Nowell did in a summer league game.

Oh no 😅pic.twitter.com/qjNjyOemn3

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 13, 2023

The legacy of Steph Curry is permeating throughout the NBA right now and will continue to do so long after he's played his last game. But before that, and before his first NBA basket, Curry's journey to the league was full of doubt. Stephen Curry: Underrated is a documentary focused on Steph's late high school to college career. Ultimately ending with his transformation into the NBA superstar he is today.

At times the documentary can feel bloated. Transitioning between Steph's continuation of his college degree, his time in college, and the usual interviews with family and peers. The jumps between subject matter result in a jarring, convoluted storyline that veers away from the theme of Steph being Underrated. On top of that the old footage being played-and-paused becomes a tired reoccurrence that detracts further from the subject at hand. While the old footage itself gives great color to the commentary, it is a documentary trope that doesn't need to be a focal point.

However, as the film moves forward the intertwining storylines coalesce into a singular stream. Steph Curry has faced doubt at every point in his career. In high school, college, and the NBA there have been countless questions about his abilities. Including the element of him finishing his degree is confusing at first but as I said it loops in with the other stories nicely. Illuminating more of Curry's non-basketball side, along with some hilarious moments with his family, help round out who he is as a person. Which in a documentary about him makes a lot of sense.

The cherry on top though is the final 20 minutes. A wonderfully put together montage of setbacks, perseverance, highlights and ultimately victories, is enough to light a fire in anybody. After the buildup of the entire film the montage, like every great sports documentary, is a fitting finale for Curry's story. Of course the best part is that his story is not yet complete and he continues to destroy NBA teams and push the boundaries of the game.

Stephen Curry: Underrated is a fun and satisfying film even if unbalanced at times. The finale wraps it up nicely and leaves you wanting more. Or hoping that the NBA season starts tomorrow.

Froth

In the maelstrom of storylines about Steph Curry, Stephen Curry: Underrated at points strays away from what the whole thing is about. Being underrated. Even though it all comes together in the end, there are moments where you're wondering whether or not this film is aptly named or not. Is it really all about being underrated? It's certainly about Steph Curry, but maybe another descriptor could've been more appropriate. Or a different editing approach would've had a better outcome. Nonetheless, BlackStack Brewing, a Minneapolis brewery that visited Reuben's Brews earlier in the month, agrees that things need to be aptly named. How do I know this? Because of their beer, APTLY NAMED.

Crazy right?!

Sure maybe it's a stretch, but the APTLY NAMED is a fruited sour that is equally parts delicious as it is refreshing. Full of baking spices that bring an interesting flavor to it, this beer is a banging beverage. And what a great name huh? Other sports documentaries have such amazing names that lend to the story and create an aura of intrigue around their subjects. The Last Dance, Break Point, Hard Knocks, sure these are all docu-series but the point remains. I think we could've put our collective heads together and come up with a better name for this documentary, instead of Stephen Curry: Underrated.