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| Filming Under the Boardwalk. Photo credit: Michael J Maloney. |
Getting board not bored
By Miranda Inganni
I must admit that I was underwhelmed at the thought of viewing (much less reviewing) Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story. Eighty eight minutes later, I was refreshingly glad I saw co-writer/director Kevin Tostado's documentary and wished that I had my old Monopoly game to whip out and play.
Delving into the history of Monopoly (created by a woman, sold by a man!), its 75 year international success (used to help American and allied POW's during World War II!) and spotlighting the most recent Monopoly World Championship held in Las Vegas, NV (ESPN actually covered it!), this sweet, geeky, thorough documentary is an homage to the game that has been a family favorite dating back to before the Great Depression.
Highlights include candid interviews with past and present US and international champions and competitors. And boy, what a group it is. From the elementary school teacher in California who uses the game to teach his students math, to the salty and rather sanctimonious guy who thinks he's going to win the championship (if he doesn't he'll be damned if the schoolteacher does!), the movie provides a glimpse into what makes Monopoly lovers tick. (Hank Azaria is a fan of the game, too!)
Honestly, the documentary got me fired up. I wanted to gather around the game board with my family and wheel and deal like we used to growing up. I must buy more hotels! I will bankrupt my older brother and win!
Coincidentally, McDonalds is running its promotional Monopoly game right now, which I have always thought I would eventually win. You can use the real prize money to pay for the liposuction after all those 1/4 pounders with cheese!
(Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story screens Oct. 15, 4 p.m.; Oct. 17, 7 p.m. For more information: http://anaheimfilm.org/films/under-the-boardwalk-the-monopoly-story)
