BEN STOKES: PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES (2022, UK, 104m, NR) ****
Documentary
dist. Amazon Prime (UK); pr co. Whisper Films; d. Chris Grubb, Luke Mellows; exec pr.Mark Cole, Sam Mendes, Sunil Patel; pr. Nathan Dalton, Rob Dawson; ph. Giles Harvey (Colour | 1.78:1); m. Ed Carlsen; ed. Scott Ferry-Collins, Steve Williams.
cast: Ben Stokes, Sam Mendes, Deb Stokes, Gerard Stokes, Clare Stokes, Dean Wilson, Isa Guha, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Mark Wood, Neil Fairbrother, Phil Scott, Shane Warne, Stuart Broad, Vithushan Ehantharajah.
This is a refreshingly honest warts-and-all examination of the psychological impact of the pressures, both on and off the field, on a sportsman at the top of his game. Stokes is not afraid to be portrayed as a flawed character and his sincerity is typical of a man who confronts his challenges head-on. He talks about the events that had a significant impact on his mental health – the 2017 Bristol fracas; his father’s illness and subsequent death; the press publishing a tragic story from his mother’s past; and the impacts of living in a bubble, whilst performing during the Covid pandemic. Also on show is the drive and leadership qualities that have seen Stokes rise to the England captaincy, where his philosophy and approach to cricket have so far flourished wonderfully, and become a respected and combative performer at the top of his game. Interviews with his family, colleagues and some observers help to broaden the film’s perspective. The story cuts back and forth along the timeline, which helps organise the film topically but could confuse those looking to better understand the flow of events. Nevertheless, this is a must for lovers of cricket and sport in general, it is also an absorbing portrait for general audiences interested in the human condition.
