Common Sense Media Review
By Rich Phippen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Documentary about troubled soccer player has drug use.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Diego Maradona (2019)
What's the Story?
DIEGO MARADONA is a documentary about one of the greatest soccer players in the history of the sport and his subsequent fall from grace. Focusing on his time in Italy playing for Napoli, archive footage shows the Argentine World Cup winner at his on-field best, before his descent into drugs eventually loses the love of the Napoli supporters.
Is It Any Good?
This is an excellent documentary about one of soccer's greatest-ever, but also controversial, players. While Maradona's story is long and ongoing, a conscious decision has been made to concentrate on Maradona's years playing in Italy. The approach affords director Asif Kapadia -- Amy and Senna -- the opportunity to look closely at the 1980s, the decade in which Maradona became arguably the greatest footballer of all time. An atmospheric soundtrack and brilliant editing of the copious amounts of archive footage weave a compelling story that gets to he heart of why Maradona's career -- and indeed his life -- went off the rails.
With drugs, prostitution, and the Italian Mafia all featuring heavily, Diego Maradona is more than your average sports documentary. There is so much archive footage that all the interviews are treated as voice-overs, rather than talking heads, which is an impressive feat for a documentary based on events from over 30 years ago.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the drug use in Diego Maradona. How and why could someone as talented as Maradona end up addicted to drugs? Do you have some sympathy with Maradona's plight? What was the role of those around him in enabling his decline?
Are Maradona's achievements tainted by his behavior? What other flawed heroes can you think of? Does this impact how we should support or remember them?
How is sex depicted in the documentary? What was Maradona's attitude to women like? Is there anything loving or consensual about any of them? Parents, talk about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 14, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : September 24, 2019
- Cast : Diego Armando Maradona , Pele , Dalma Maradona
- Director : Asif Kapadia
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Altitude Film Distribution
- Genre : Documentary
- Run time : 130 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : July 18, 2022
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