Best

Best, also known as George Best: All By Himself, is a 2016 sports documentary biopic directed by the award-winning filmmaker, Daniel Gordon. This eye-opening film unveils the life and legacy of one of football's most iconic names, the late George Best. The engaging documentary intricately features authentic footage and candid interviews featuring key figures such as his former wife Angie Best and son Calum Best. It evokes the tumultuous journey of the football genius from his humble beginnings to his eventual downfall, marred by a life of unnecessary excess.

"Best" begins by spotlighting George Best's early life in Belfast, Northern Ireland, providing a glimpse into his initial soccer-related aspirations and his extraordinary talent. It follows his explosive first steps into Manchester United Football Club as a fifteen-year-old prodigy, his unprecedented rise to prominence, and his worldwide acclaim as “the fifth Beatle”. Numerous scenes carefully intersperse authentic archive footage of his most memorable matches combined with exclusive interviews from those who witnessed his supreme talent.

George Best, renowned for his dazzling dribbling skills and goal-scoring prowess, was the first superstar footballer of the television era, a beacon of glamour in the rapidly transforming sport. He was the epitome of the extravagant 1960s lifestyle, the Beatles of football, whose natural talent on the pitch was matched only by his capacity for self-destruction off of it. The film delves into the cultural effect of George Best on the world of football and the society of his time.

Through conversations with first wife Angie Best, the film tenderly explores their passionate yet tumultuous marriage. She candidly shares her experiences with George's increasing alcohol problems, illuminating the cost of his well-publicised fights with alcoholism on his personal life, career, and relationships. On the other hand, Best's son, Calum, offers a deeper insight into his relationship with his father, revealing the human behind the superstar.

The film is as much an homage to Best's groundbreaking career as it is a deep exploration of the consequences of fame and fortune, notably his struggles with alcoholism and the detrimental effect it had on his life and career. It’s a nuanced tale that celebrates Best’s football success while not shying away from the darker, deeply flawed side of the man.

As a crucial part of the narrative, the film also excels in citing Best's football peers and some credible names in the game. Their remarks on Best's impact and legacy give the documentary an extra bit of context and offer football enthusiasts a truly encompassing view of who George Best was as a player.

By alternating between extensive looks at Best's football prowess, his party-lifestyle off-the-pitch, and his battles with alcoholism, the film manages to document an in-depth, captivating, and stark portrayal of the complexities that came with Best's fame and his resulting personal afflictions.

Crisp editing, effective storytelling, and a consummate use of period and contemporary footage, coupled with the ambient musical score, capture the zeitgeist of the era and provide an immersive viewing experience.

"Best" concludes on a cathartic note, coming full circle by focussing on Best's decades-long struggle with alcoholism, culminating in his untimely death in 2005. Through its unflinching exploration of his troubled existence, the film captures how his charisma and ability to elate and entertain on the pitch was counterbalanced by self-destructive tendencies off it.

Beyond merely being a sports documentary, "Best" is a powerful human-interest narrative, vividly underscored by contributions from those close to him, revealing the poignant story of a man who mesmerised on the football field yet was tragically and irrevocably flawed off it. Its stylistic approach ensures that it appeals equally to the football enthusiast and the uninitiated, making it an essential viewing for all.

Ultimately, the film serves as a stark reminder of the brief nature of a player’s peak, the damaging power of fame and the tragic consequences of excessive indulgence. Simultaneously, it highlights the lasting memories that a genius of the game like George Best can engrave in people's hearts, despite the tormented persona off the field. It’s a complex, affecting study of a unique talent sacrified to stardom.