Screwball

Screwball is a documentary film released in 2018 by director Billy Corben, known for his esteemed work on “Cocaine Cowboys”. The film casts young actors Frankie Diaz, Bryan Blanco, and Ian Mackles and employs a unique storytelling device – reenacting events using these child actors, often with comedic results. The film delves into the seamy underbelly of America's favorite pastime - baseball - and offers a look into one of the most significant sports scandals of the new millennium.

The film centers around the infamous 2013 Biogenesis scandal, also known as "Biogenesis of America," that shocked the sporting world, particularly the baseball realm. The scandal originally revolved around a now-closed South Floridian anti-aging clinic run by “Dr.” Tony Bosch, who is notably not a medical doctor, but instead a self-proclaimed "biochemist". The clinic came under national scrutiny for allegedly supplying illegal performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to numerous high-profile Major League Baseball players. The film follows the aftermath, focusing on the investigation and the fallout that ensues.

"Screwball" provides an in-depth look into Tony Bosch’s journey from being a relative unknown figure to a notorious name in the sports world. The film depicts his rise in the ranks from running a small, quirky health clinic in Miami to becoming an integral part of a far-reaching controversy that draws in big names like baseball phenomenon Alex Rodriguez. Bosch’s flamboyant and seemingly carefree character provides both an amusing and disconcerting centerpiece for the unfolding drama.

The documentary also sheds light on Porter Fischer, the whistleblower who initially revealed to the Miami New Times that Bosch’s clinic was providing PEDs to a multitude of baseball pros—a revelation that ultimately ended many careers and damaged the reputation of Major League Baseball. Fischer, an eccentric yet fascinating character, helps the filmmakers paint a clearer and more comprehensive picture of the events leading up to the scandal.

"Screwball" takes a decidedly entertaining approach towards presenting this complex, controversial subject matter. The film’s use of child actors to reenact the events of the scandal offers both comical relief and pointed social commentary. This unexpected narrative choice serves to both draw attention to the almost absurd aspects of the situation and to underscore the immaturity and irresponsibility of the adults involved in the scandal. The youthful cast, with Frankie Diaz, Bryan Blanco, and Ian Mackles taking on key roles, do an outstanding job adding a fresh spin on this high-stakes tale.

Beyond its primary narrative about the scandal, the film also examines the impact of performance-enhancing drugs on America's most beloved sport. "Screwball" explores the hypocrisy and corruption of an industry in which everyone wants to win, often at the cost of integrity, health, and fair play. Furthermore, the film deeply exposes the flaws of the modern sports landscape and its tainted relationship with celebrity culture, where success can cultivate immunity to rules and laws for many.

"Screwball" also surprisingly serves as a situational comedy, inserting humor into an otherwise serious account of deceit and questionable ethics. Corben does a commendable job walking the line between documentary and satire, revealing the scandalous events with high level of details while reminding the audience of the real-world implications through comedic breaks and interesting presentations.

The film successfully transforms an ugly chapter of American sports history into an engaging documentary that is equally critical and entertaining. Whether you are a baseball fan or just a lover of good film, Screwball offers an absorbing, informative, and ultimately entertaining examination of what happens when ambition and greed take the field.