Watch The Second Game

The Second Game is a mesmerizing black and white documentary film from 2014 directed and written by Corneliu Porumboiu, which portrays a father and son in Romania playing a game of soccer. The movie features Adrian Porumboiu, the director's father and the former president of FC Vaslui, and the protagonist of this film, playing the role of the father. The movie also features his son, the director Corneliu Porumboiu, who acts as the camera operator and engages in a lively conversation with his father during the game.

The premise of the documentary is relatively simple, with the father and son revisiting an old VHS tape of a soccer match they played together 35 years before. The small court where the match took place is still present, and the father, who is now 60 years old, starts reminiscing about the game they played. The film then moves back and forth between the game they played in the past, which is shown via footage from the VHS tape, and the current game that they play, shot in black and white.

The Second Game is an introspective look at the game of soccer as well as a reflection on life. The film is filled with extended silences and long takes. This film is a highly intuitive and sensory experience, as the camera is placed right beside Adrian Porumboiu, almost like a POV shot, as he dribbles, passes, and shoots the ball.

Corneliu Porumboiu utilizes the football game as a metaphor for life itself, and the interactions between the father and son serve to underscore the generational and cultural differences that exist between them. The dialogues between the two during the game touch upon a broad range of subjects – politics, religion, and family – and are often laced with humor and wit.

The Second Game smartly uses visual metaphors to explore the symbolism of soccer. One scene, in particular, is an excellent representation of soccer as a game of strategy that can change in an instant. The father shapes the ball into a triangle and places it on the ground, leaving his son to choose one side. The father reveals that he has already decided which way to shoot, leaving his son at a disadvantage. However, the son cheats by moving the ball to another spot, thus leveling the playing field. The director uses this scene to illustrate the deliberate techniques and tactics that players use to gain an advantage and win, whether it's in soccer or life.

The documentary is a triumph of minimalism, with only a few simple cuts in the entire recording. The Second Game is an exquisite balance of conversation and action, emotion, and nostalgia. Corneliu Porumboiu's choice to keep the camera still results in an immersive experience that allows for the audience to focus on the significance of the words that are being exchanged on the pitch. Much of the dialogues between the father and son touch upon how Romania has changed since the fall of the Communist regime, with the father's experiences being vastly different from those of his son.

The Second Game is a unique movie that tells a tale of friendship, loyalty, and fatherhood. The game of soccer serves as a framework for a conversation that touches on topics that are both broad and intimate. The father's articulation of his worldview and philosophy provides the audience with an insight into his past and the way he perceives the world.

In conclusion, The Second Game is an unmissable movie that is worth watching for its technical proficiency, its emotional depth, and its philosophical musings. Corneliu Porumboiu has crafted a love letter to the game of soccer and uses its strategic depth to provide a reflection on life itself. The movie is visually stunning, emotionally charged, and intellectually stimulating - all of which make for a fantastic viewing experience. This film is a unique take on the documentary genre, and it is one that will surely appeal to audiences who appreciate a well-crafted story.

The Second Game is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.