Rollerball takes us to a future world (futuristic for 1975, set in 2018) where corporations govern society, and the sport of rollerball is at the center of public life. To keep things interesting, corporate leaders continuously alter the game’s rules and have a heavy hand in shaping the lives of players.The world’s top player, Jonathan E. (James Caan), is offered a substantial retirement package but refuses to quit. The corporation’s insistence on his retirement pushes him to question, and ultimately seek to uncover, the forces behind their decisions. In response, the corporations make the game increasingly violent, hoping to force Jonathan out, one way or another.
The film presents two main aspects: the sport itself and a thriller element with a touch of noir. In the sports scenes, Rollerball excels. It makes Jonathan’s star status as a top player believable, and the game, invented for the film, is surprisingly engaging, to the point that the cast and crew reportedly played it between takes. The Tokyo match is a particular highlight, with tight, unpredictable shots that keep you on edge.
However, the thriller side of the film doesn’t quite hit the mark. It’s never boring, but it holds back, missing the chance to take things to the next level. Jonathan’s flashbacks and dreams are a nice touch, and the cold, futuristic production design gives the setting a believable corporate chill (the classical score, in a dramatic Kubrick-like style, is also a nice touch). Still, you’re left wanting more, like Jonathan, you want answers on what the corporation’s true endgame is and why they don’t take more extreme measures.
The film touches on AI themes and sports culture, but the focus on these ideas remains light, and the outside world is limited to the audience’s reactions in the stadium. James Caan has the presence to carry the role, portraying Jonathan’s quiet melancholy well. Overall, Rollerball keeps you entertained with its gripping games and well-crafted world, even if it doesn’t quite explore its ideas as deeply as it could.
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- 3Jaws
- 4Nashville
- 5Manila in the Claws of Light
- 30Rollerball#30 of 51
- Where to watch
- Rent or buy at Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video
- Where to watch
- Rent or buy at Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
Play trailer
- Original title
- Rollerball
- Director
- Norman Jewison
- Genre
- Science Fiction, Drama
- Cast
- James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams, John Beck, Moses Gunn, Pamela Hensley, Barbara Trentham, Shane Rimmer
- Rated
- R
- Screenwriter
- William Harrison
- Composer
- André Previn
- Cinematography
- Douglas Slocombe
- Editor
- Antony Gibbs
- Country
- Language
- English
- Budget
- $6 million
- Box office
- $30 million