Changing the Game

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Changing the Game

2019

1h 28m

Documentary

LGBTQ+

Sports & Fitness

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

This intimate story takes us into the lives of three high school athletes from across the US -- all at different stages of their athletic seasons, each sharing their lives as transgender teens. Our main character, Mack Beggs, made headlines last year when he became the Texas State Champion in girls wrestling -- as a boy. Fighting Texas State policy and drawing international media coverage, he was heralded as a hero by some while receiving hate and threats from others. The tumultuous press surrounding his success continues to pull Mack in multiple directions as he and his family navigate the media and this year's State wrestling tournament, all while trying to graduate high school. Each story is led by the brave and individual voices of these students, allowing extremely personal and vulnerable access into their journeys. These courageous kids offer us the opportunity to see the world through their eyes -- and share their struggles and successes along the way.

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Critics Consensus

Urgent and empathetic, Changing the Game takes an affecting and admirably nuanced look at young transgender athletes.

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Peter Keough

Boston Globe

Incisive about the complex issues involved and emotionally compelling, this documentary might help clarify the rules so the game can be changed.

Jun 23, 2021

Full Review

Christine Salek

Autostraddle

There's all-out bigotry, and there's all-out triumph. Changing the Game does well to offer both in a way that hits all the right notes.

Jun 18, 2021

Full Review

Cody Corrall

Chicago Reader

During this time...documentaries like Changing the Game are more important than ever.

Jun 14, 2021

Full Review

David Reddish

Queerty

A film both provocative and inspiring, its a terrific way to kick off pride month.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 13, 2022

Full Review

Nathaniel Rogers

The Film Experience

While I've never been into sports, it's hard not to root for a sports doc which tells its stories with such sensitivity while embodying good sportmanship. Changing the Game is eager to play but wins or loses with passion, sensitivity, and class.

Rated: B+

Jul 26, 2021

Full Review

Brandon Judell

Brandon Judell (Medium)

Michael Barnett's Changing the Game, a moving documentary on three trans-teens competing in the sports arena, also incorporates a reaction or two to Trump, here though to his vilification of the non-cisgendered.

Jun 23, 2021

Full Review

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Curtis W

Engaging, perspective-altering and inspiring. You will be hooked before you reach the 10 minute mark. Just start watching it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/21/23

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Audience Member

I'm glad more (scientifically proven) women are speaking out against the hostile takeover of women's sports

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Everyone should be treated equally but this fails in showing the other side equally. But overall just wasn't that entertaining.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/21/24

Full Review

Audience Member

It will never cease to amaze me how adults feel entitled to bully and harass kids. That TERF at Andraya's track meet. That dad at Mack's TX state girls wrestling championship. They booed him like a heel in a WWF match. But Mack is just a kid. Andraya and Terry are just kids. Sarah is just a kid. The so-called "adults" spitting venom at these kids is monstrous. TX sticking to their ignorance and not allowing Mack to wrestle with the boys is just awful. But these kids are the lucky ones… their families have embraced and celebrated their children. I loved this movie. I have so many trans friends, and I worked in an LGBT medical clinic. They just want to be themselves. I have seen many conservatives realize the error of their ways when they discover their child/parent/best friend/family member is trans. I just wish that conservatives could learn to respect trans people without having to have one in their family. The lack of empathy and compassion by people who claim to be Christian is breathtaking. Ignorance breeds fear. Fear breeds hate. One day they will learn to be as compassionate as the composite fable of the "jesus" that they follow.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

dave d

Anytime you have a chance to educate yourself on an issue, it's important to learn as much about that subject as possible. Transgender teen athletes is the topic in a film that was ahead of its time by a couple years, but totally relevant in the moment. The film is a little too heavy handed in showing which side to be on and if you can get past that there's a lot of good here. Discrimination comes all too easy for too many. It really is interesting seeing NON Cis white males arguing AGAINST equality. People are all entitled to be happy by living their truth and the truth is, High School athletics should be about competition and not about winning. If that was the case all of this drama caused by the people who are all too comfortable in charge, would not matter. Anyone who disagrees with the filmmakers's point of view was made to come across as mean or dumb or confused and frankly that isn't right. There are several really good points on the other side and even one was made in the movie, only to make the dissenter look silly moments later. If you're opposed to people having equal rights this won't be for you, but if you have an open mind and are hoping to educate yourself give 'Changing the Game' a try. Final Score: 7/10

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is an amazing documentary. Take the time to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Michael Barnett

Director

Mack Beggs

Self

Sarah Rose Huckman

Self

Andraya Yearwood

Self

Michael Mahaffie

Writer

Clare Tucker

Producer

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Synopsis

This intimate story takes us into the lives of three high school athletes from across the US -- all at different stages of their athletic seasons, each sharing their lives as transgender teens. Our main character, Mack Beggs, made headlines last year when he became the Texas State Champion in girls wrestling -- as a boy. Fighting Texas State policy and drawing international media coverage, he was heralded as a hero by some while receiving hate and threats from others. The tumultuous press surrounding his success continues to pull Mack in multiple directions as he and his family navigate the media and this year's State wrestling tournament, all while trying to graduate high school. Each story is led by the brave and individual voices of these students, allowing extremely personal and vulnerable access into their journeys. These courageous kids offer us the opportunity to see the world through their eyes -- and share their struggles and successes along the way.

Director: Michael Barnett
Producer: Clare Tucker, Alex Schmider
Screenwriter: Michael Mahaffie
Production Co: SuperFilms!, Glanzrock Productions, Foton Pictures
Genre: Documentary, LGBTQ+, Sports & Fitness
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2021
Runtime: 1h 28m

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