Mind/Game: The Unquiet Journey of Chamique Holdsclaw

Narrated by Glenn Close, filmmaker Rick Goldsmith's documentary centers on top-ranked women's basketball star Chamique Holdsclaw's descent from glory due to the ravages of bipolar disorder. A high school hoops prodigy in upstate New York, Holdsclaw had a ferocious appetite on the basketball court, and eventually recruited by the University of Tennessee, where she rose to national prominence and ultimately landed a contract with the WNBA team the Los Angeles Sparks. But in 2007, Holdsclaw began missing games due to depression. After receiving help, she resumed playing but experienced more episodes, including an overdose of antidepressants that landed her in a hospital one nightmarish evening. Further problems followed during Holdsclaw's attempted comebacks, including an aggravated assault charge. Mind/Game interviews Holdsclaw, as well as fellow players, friends, trainers, coaches, and other observers. While some viewers might expect to see a fanciful turn toward victory despite everything, it seems to be enough for Holdsclaw to value herself more than the game and to accept a more stable future. A powerful film about mental health issues, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)