Review: ‘Linsanity’ a delight even to non-hoops faithful

Details

Title: Linsanity (2013)

Director : Even Jackson Leong

Featuring : Jeremy Lin

Synopsis : During the start of the 2012 season, the New York Knicks find themselves in what seemed to be a disappointing and underachieving season. With all the injuries, they looked deep in their bench and found Jeremy Lin, the undrafted free agent from Harvard. Facing the scare of being cut from the team’s lineup and ending a short-lived NBA career, Lin turned into his inner self and released “LINSANITY” basketball to become a worldwide phenomenon.

Review

As a guy who analyzes basketball for NBA.com Philippines, we eat and breathe the NBA and go in depth to anything about the league. We carry the pride of knowing everything and coming to this movie, I had this question in my mind “What do I not know about Jeremy Lin?”

Moviegoers line up to catch the premier of 'Linsanity' at the Mall of Asia Arena Monday, Sept. 30

As expected, we got a glimpse on how he started and getting to know his roots prior to the “Linsanity” run. What amazes me is that Director Evan Jackson Leong was at the right time and place in documenting Jeremy Lin’s life a month before the whole phenomenon happened. It seemed that this documentary was meant to be shown to the world.

In the world of basketball, the moment you decide to take the game seriously and take it to greater heights, the aspiring player will face a lot of challenges along the way. Getting cut, being accepted by teammates, staying in the team, continuous days of proving yourself and even racism are just some of it. The movie was successful enough to dig deep to anyone’ feelings, not just people playing basketball but also going through our daily lives. Jeremy’s story was something that anyone can relate to.

Actor Ronnie Ricketts was among the celebrities who watched 'Linsanity'

One of the movie’s most fascinating feels was seeing Jeremy Lin in a different light. Watching the NBA, we marvel at the athletes for their skills but here, it was a chance for us to admire his character. Having the honor to cover the NBA Global Games, Jeremy Lin will be coming to Manila with the Houston Rockets and they will face the Indiana Pacers on October 10 in the SM MOA Arena. It made me more excited to see him in person and shaking his hand would mean more than just being a basketball fanboy but it’s shaking a hand of an inspiration.

I had a chance to talk to Japeth Aguilar, a Filipino basketball player, who actually tried his luck on getting in a D-League team and he too can relate with Jeremy Lin’s story but something else struck him about the documentary.

The author with PBA cager Japeth Aguilar

“It’s a really great movie” Aguilar said, “One of the things I liked about Jeremy is his faith in God. A Christian and an inspiration.”

Overall, this is a movie that I highly recommend not just for aspiring basketball players but athletes in different sports. For the general public, it is still a very inspiring story that anyone can carry on in their daily lives. When you feel down and about to give up on goals, this is the perfect movie to watch. The boost of confidence will actually show that there is a “Linsanity” in each and every one of us.

Author’s Note : The writer would like to thank WhenInManila.com, Solar Entertainment and their staff, Sky Gavin, Sundy Teng and Ms. Lulu Chua for the invitation. Photo credit to Peter Baltazar Photography.

Follow this author Twitter: @ErnestLeo