The King of Kong (2007)
Directed by Seth Gordon
***1/4
When video-game-addicted nerds grow up, they're still nerdy—just in more grown up sorts of ways. That's the basic message of this fascinating, weird documentary, which follows a handful of middle-age guys who happen to be talented at classic video arcade games. One of them, Billy Mitchell, was a hit with the national media as a youngster; now he owns his own wing sauce company, and views himself as a tremendous success, as well as man of mystery who always has a surprise up his sleeve. Steve Wiebe is a not-so-nerdy nerd who takes on Billy's title for the highest score ever in Donkey Kong. Even if you don't like video games, this is a funny, sad, bizarre portrayal of the sense of competition and of seeing your identity in what you do.
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