Alex Perry’s independently produced documentary, “Angle”, will go down as one of the most moving wrestling documentaries out there. In fact, it’s right up there with Paul Jay’s “Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows” providing viewers with a fascinating glimpse into the inner-workings of professional wrestling. The film chronicles the turbulent life of professional wrestler and Olympic gold medallist, Kurt Angle. Split into three acts, “Angle” starts off with his ascent in the freestyle wrestling, before switching to his tenures in WWE, and finally ending with the dark days of struggling with an addiction to painkillers. But make no mistake, Angle’s story is filled with perseverance and hope.
The most impressive part of Kurt Angle’s journey is the fact that he managed to win a gold medal in freestyle wrestling with a broken freaking neck. Perhaps it is exactly that kind of persistence and determination that made him triumph over the fiercest opponent of his life, opioids. Perry handles this delicate material with incredible nuance- seamlessly weaving together archival footage with newly shot interviews with various professional wrestlers.
This blend of insightful narration over wrestling footage elevates Angle’s story to the stuff of legend. By exposing untold stories of what was happening behind the scenes of Kurt Angle’s most iconic moments, Perry adds a layer of depth to Angle’s remarkable achievements. I was particularly moved by the wrestler’s loyalty to his teammates after the horrifying incident that unfolded while he was training with Team Foxcatcher.
However, if there is one aspect worth criticizing, it would be the overuse of inspirational music at key moments throughout the documentary. The music felt a bit overwhelming and distracting. That said, it’s a minor mishap in an otherwise impressive work of sports documentary filmmaking. Emotionally engaging and exceptionally gripping, “Angle” will make anyone a fan out of Kurt Angle, one of the most decorated professional wrestlers of our time.
“Angle” is currently streaming on Peacock.
The Cinephile Fix 