Doglegs

Watch Doglegs

  • NR
  • 2015
  • 1 hr 29 min
  • 8.0  (36)

Doglegs is a 2015 documentary film directed by Heath Cozens. The film follows an underground counterpart of Japanese professional wrestling called Doglegs, where disabled wrestlers fight against able-bodied opponents in front of a live audience. These disabled wrestlers are represented in the film as people who have chosen Doglegs to escape from the reality of their lives, where they face discrimination and biasedness due to their disabilities.

The film shows the lives and personal stories of several disabled Doglegs wrestlers. One of the main characters, Takahashi, is the leader of a group of disabled wrestlers, and he is constantly trying to recruit new members to the group. He is also fighting against Doglegs management, who try to phase out their association with disabled wrestlers. Another wrestler, Kitajima, who has cerebral palsy, uses Doglegs as a cathartic way to vent his frustration and rage against society.

The film goes on to highlight the relationship between the wrestlers and the audience, who initially come to laugh and make fun of the disabled wrestlers but end up respecting their commitment to the sport. The film explores the complexities of this relationship, as the wrestlers are at once both performers and objects of entertainment. The audience is shown to have an emotional and psychological connection to the wrestlers, and is invested in their struggles and triumphs.

Over the course of the film, the audience is taken through the world of Doglegs as it evolves from a fringe performance art to a more recognized brand of entertainment, with their shows increasingly featuring on mainstream television. This recognition brings in new challenges for the disabled wrestlers, who have to face the harsh reality of not being accepted by society. These societal beliefs that the disabled should not be in the public eye are evident in how some of the wrestlers' family members refuse to attend their matches despite their success.

The film also features perspectives from able-bodied Doglegs wrestlers who feel a personal and moral responsibility to help the disabled wrestlers, and they do this by fighting with them in the ring. As a result, the disabled wrestlers gain the physical and emotional support needed to continue their passion for Doglegs. The able-bodied wrestlers are shown to not only assist the disabled wrestlers in the ring but also become promoters of their events and their stories, spreading awareness for creating a more inclusive society.

Doglegs treats its subjects with empathy and respect, showing the strength and vulnerability of these wrestlers. It explores the deeper questions of society's attitudes towards people with disabilities, questioning whether society truly accepts the disabled and the extent to which they deserve independence and respect. Through its unconventional and moving subject matter, Doglegs invites the audience to re-examine its attitudes towards disabilities.

Overall, Doglegs is a thought-provoking and powerful documentary that highlights the strength and perseverance of a group that has long been marginalized and stigmatized by society. It's a film that is sure to inspire viewers to look at disabled people through a different lens, while also being a testament to the power of inclusive communities.

Doglegs is a 2015 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.

Doglegs
Description
Where to Watch Doglegs
Doglegs is available to watch free on Tubi TV. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon, Google Play and YouTube VOD. Some platforms allow you to rent Doglegs for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2015
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 29 min
  • Language
    Japanese
  • IMDB Rating
    8.0  (36)