Watch The Crash Reel

The Crash Reel from 2013 is a documentary film directed by Lucy Walker that chronicles the career, injury, and recovery of professional snowboarder Kevin Pearce. The film is centered around Pearce's life-threatening accident during a training run leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympics and his subsequent struggle to recover from a traumatic brain injury.

The Crash Reel starts by introducing Kevin Pearce, a charismatic and talented snowboarder from Vermont who aspires to beat his rival, Shaun White, and win gold at the upcoming Olympic games. The film highlights Pearce's early success, his hardworking attitude, and his unwavering determination to succeed in the sport. Between interviews with Pearce, his family, and friends, footage from his competitions showcases his daring and impressive skills on the snowboard.

However, Pearce's life takes a dramatic turn when he sustains a severe brain injury while practicing in Park City, Utah, in December 2009. The film takes us through the horrific accident and Pearce's subsequent treatment and recovery. Interviews with his family and doctors give insight into the difficulties of coping with a brain injury and the challenges of recovery. The footage of medical procedures, rehab exercises and Pearce's daily life is both painful and enlightening to watch.

Through Pearce's journey to regain his health, the film highlights the struggles he faces, including relearning basic motor skills and the impact of his injury on his relationships. Additionally, the film also covers the perspective of Pearce's parents and how they face the dangers of allowing their child to pursue such a high-risk sport.

The often-difficult relationship between Pearce and his childhood friend and rival Shaun White is also explored in the film. Interviews with both snowboarding stars reveals a complex relationship which often involved competition, mutual respect and at times, jealousy. The footage of their performances, competition victories and interviews with their friends and family add another layer to the story.

The Crash Reel depicts the reality of the impact of traumatic brain injury on athletes and highlights the importance of safety measures in high-risk sports. The film also explores the consequences of these sports on the athletes involved, their families, and friends.

Overall, The Crash Reel is a remarkable and poignant documentary that celebrates the spirit of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. The film is very touching, as it highlights the importance of family, support, and hope, as well as the difficult but pivotal role that injuries and accidents play in shaping the lives of athletes. It's a must-see for anyone interested in snowboarding or anyone concerned about the risks of high-risk sports in general.

The Crash Reel is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2 and a MetaScore of 79.