Watch Screwball

Screwball is a 2018 biographical documentary directed by Billy Corben. The film offers an inside look into the 2013 Biogenesis baseball scandal. The documentary is a satirical retelling of the events, focusing mainly on the personalities involved in the investigation and their exaggerated portrayals. The film opens with a disclaimer stating that the events depicted in the film are not entirely factual but based on true events. The main narrative of the film follows the investigation of the Biogenesis clinic in Coral Gables, Florida. The clinic was discovered to be providing performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to professional baseball players, leading to a slew of suspensions, lawsuits, and indictments.

The film uses a non-linear narrative structure, with various characters and their testimonies interwoven throughout the story. The film introduces several colorful characters, most of whom are real-life figures involved in the scandal. These include Porter Fischer, a Biogenesis employee who turned whistleblower, Anthony Bosch, the founder of the clinic, and Tony Bosch's cousin, Yuri Sucart, who was also implicated in the scandal.

The documentary relies heavily on reenactments and recreations of the events, often featuring children and teenagers lip-syncing to the dialogue of adult characters. The film's comedic tone is evident in these scenes, which can be at times surreal and absurd. For example, a teenage boy is shown mimicking the mannerisms of Alex Rodriguez, one of the most prominent players implicated in the scandal, while a young girl acts as the prosecuting attorney.

The film's style of storytelling and visual language is reminiscent of a true-crime series, with a focus on the personalities and sensational aspects of the story. The documentary uses archival footage, news segments, and social media posts to construct a narrative that is both informative and entertaining.

One of the most striking aspects of Screwball is its critique of the American justice system and the hypocrisy of the politics of the steroid era. The film argues that the players who were suspended and vilified for their use of PEDs were scapegoats for a system that turned a blind eye to the widespread use of steroids in baseball. The film suggests that the real villains in the story are the owners, coaches, and administrators who profited from the success of the players.

Screwball is a fascinating and entertaining documentary that uses humor and satire to tell a story that is both informative and thought-provoking. The film is a testament to the power of storytelling and the way in which art can shed light on the darker aspects of society. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in baseball or the American justice system.

Screwball is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 72.