Screwball
Miami Premiere
Country: USA
Language: English
Running Time: 105min
Film Year: 2018
Category: Cinema 360º
Screwball looks at doping in major league baseball from the perspective of Miami’s Anthony Bosch, a specialist in performance-enhancing drugs, who was a key figure in the scandals of Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, and other star players.
While Bosch’s medical credentials may be lacking, his storytelling skills are first rate. On camera, he is hilariously frank about the rise and fall of his Biogenesis health clinic, including details of mob connections, financial chicanery, his cocaine habit, and Rodriguez’s eccentric behavior. Miami New Times journalist Tim Elfrink helps to frame the story.
This true-crime comedy is so steeped in South Florida, it might have been written by Carl Hiassen or Elmore Leonard. Instead, it’s directed by their documentary film equivalent Billy Corben (Cocaine Cowboys, The U) who has another new film in the festival, Magic City Hustle.
The film excels in inducing laughter, but also raises serious questions about the culture of professional sports. Powerful interests would be happy to let this story slip from memory. But Screwball makes it unforgettable.
SHOWTIMES:
Saturday March 2nd @ 9:15 PM MDC’s Tower Theater Add to Schedule
credits
Director: Billy Corben
Producer: Alfred Spellman, Billy Corben
Screenwriter: Billy Corben, David Cypkin
Production Company: rakontur
Music: 10k Islands
Cinematographer: B.J. Golnick
Editor: David Cypkin