A League of Ordinary Gentlemen

R

Released May 5, 2004

1h 33m

Documentary

List

91%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

While other minor sports like professional wrestling and auto racing boomed, the once-vibrant pro bowling circuit dwindled after its mid-20th-century heyday, so much so that it neared extinction in the 1990s. In this affectionate documentary, a quartet of professional bowlers discuss life in the big leagues, as famous bowling aficionados like basketball star Charles Barkley, journalist Bernard Goldberg and actor/director Timothy Busfield enthuse about their affection for the sport.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Even if bowling isn't your sport, this colorful documentary is still an entertaining watch.

Read Critics Reviews

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Without the social questions posed at the beginning of the film, the footage of the competition is not likely to be strong enough on its own to lasso in a new generation of players.

Rated: 2.5/5

Oct 2, 2005

Full Review

Noel Murray

AV Club

It's a workmanlike film, but by the time two of the above bowlers are rolling against each other for the PBA championship, Browne has the audience sweating every spare.

Sep 26, 2005

Full Review

Joshua Land

Village Voice

After a few flourishes of Errol Morris-like editing, first-timer Browne settles into a tone resembling the ESPN telecasts so crucial to the PBA's revenue stream, thriving on the intrinsic drama of competition and the league's emerging star system.

Aug 19, 2005

Full Review

Lewis Beale

Film Journal International

The new and improved Tour now has a terrifically well-made and astute film documenting its birthing pains.

Mar 1, 2007

Full Review

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

easy to take in, much like spending an afternoon at the lanes with some watery beer

Rated: 4/5

Mar 1, 2006

Full Review

Rob Thomas

Capital Times (Madison, WI)

"League" is unexpectedly inspiring as we watch the plucky little league, which only draws a quarter of the advertising revenue of hockey despite having better TV ratings, fight for its survival.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 18, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

A very good documentary on the modern bowling circuit. I've always been a fan of bowling, so I'm a little biased, but I think even people with no interest in the sport will find this documentary compelling.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A League of Ordinary Gentlemen is a great doc about pro bowling. Also, the only doc about pro bowling. 6.5/10

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

ALoOG does what only a great documentary has the ability to do -- take a subject that might not be interesting and make you care about it. While bowling is fun, I've never been a huge fan, especially of professional bowling. ALoOG follows the downfall and attempted rebirth of the sport, following a handful of interesting characters and revealing the human side of their journeys to becoming the champion. On top of that, ALoOG is a vivid portrait of how corporatized the world has become. The rebirth of bowling as a professional sport is all thanks to making it a product on TV (like so many things). And like all those commercial things, it doesn't matter what you are selling any more, but just if you can make money on it. So things like, the sport actually being about playing bowling, etc now longer are important to the Bowling League, but only if they are making money. That harsh truth, however isn't enough to spoil the fun you will have with this film however. You should rack this one up. It's a winner!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

interesting documentary on the demise and resurrection of the professional bowlers tour.....

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

this was way more amusing than i thought it would be.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

As in any good documentary, some of the figures are sad and others are triumphant but the movie as a whole offers a great look at a now overlooked sport that was once bigger than football in the States. The championship match game at the end offers enough drama to keep you glued to tv and I pretty much want Steve Miller to speak at every event I attend from now on.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Christopher Browne

Director

Gary Meister

Original Music

Ken Seng

Cinematographer

Kurt Engfehr

Film Editing

David S. Tung

Co-Editor

Brian Fish

Sound Mixer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Mayor of the Sunset Strip

87%

78%

Mayor of the Sunset Strip

A Decade Under the Influence

77%

83%

A Decade Under the Influence

Mule Skinner Blues

82%

81%

Mule Skinner Blues

Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator

81%

77%

Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator

Comedian

77%

69%

Comedian

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

While other minor sports like professional wrestling and auto racing boomed, the once-vibrant pro bowling circuit dwindled after its mid-20th-century heyday, so much so that it neared extinction in the 1990s. In this affectionate documentary, a quartet of professional bowlers discuss life in the big leagues, as famous bowling aficionados like basketball star Charles Barkley, journalist Bernard Goldberg and actor/director Timothy Busfield enthuse about their affection for the sport.

Director: Christopher Browne
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 5, 2004, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 27, 2005
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 29, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.3K
Runtime: 1h 33m

Most Popular at Home Now