Review: LINSANITY

CBN.com - In early 2012, the New York Knicks needed to make a personnel decision regarding unheralded guard Jeremy Lin.  On a ten day contract designed to be nothing more than a glorified game-action audition, the Knicks front office needed to decide whether to sign Lin for the rest of the season or to cut him.  To do the latter would have been nothing more than a blip in daily sports sections across the country.  Keeping him for the rest of season was even less clear.  Then something happened … LINSANITY!
 
For the remainder of that season, no one could seem to get enough of the first Asian-American of the modern era to play in the NBA.  Jeremy Lin T-shirts flew off the racks, Knicks fans awoke from what was considered a forgettable season, and even David Letterman got into the act by having Lin’s name and number painted onto the back of his suit.  Oh yeah, along the way he successfully played some well-deserved NBA minutes.

Lin’s trajectory into the NBA’s elite is the subject of a new film, LINSANITY that was released simultaneously in theaters and VOD (video on demand) on October 4th.  An official selection at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, LINSANITY is directed by Evan Jackson Leong and narrated by Daniel Dae Kim (Hawaii Five-O, Lost).

Produced in the style of ESPN’s “30 for 30” documentary series, LINSANITY does a credible style of recreating Lin’s life story in chronological order.  Interspersed with family and former coaches interviews and highlight reel video from various stages of his hoop development is original Leong-shot footage of Lin showcasing his game at a local playground.

With seemingly unlimited access to home video footage from the Lin family, Leong does a commendable job of cobbling together the pieces of the NBA’s most unlikely star’s life.  From his early years playing youth basketball in the San Francisco Bay area to starring at Harvard to shuffling around several pro teams before finding a home with the Knicks, Lin’s life serves as a case study in perseverance and never giving up despite the odds.

Perhaps LINSANITY’S greatest strength is that viewers get a glimpse into what drives Jeremy Lin: his faith.  Filled with scenes of perseverance and unwavering desire, the devoutly Christian Lin is not bashful in sharing what fuels his life.  In fact, in one poignant scene he quips simply, “I play for God.”

LINSANITY can be seen in limited release in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Diego, and Seattle.  It is also currently available on VOD platforms including Comcast, Time Warner, Verizon, DirecTV, Dish Network, Cox Cable, Bright House, and Charter.  Check your local listing for further details.

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