plug: André the Giant (2018)

A look at one of the most interesting, peculiar lives in all of sports entertainment.

What would it be like to be larger than life? To be so big, so unique, that you could not be denied attention, even when you didn’t want it? How would one use this uncontrollable size? This is the question at the heart of André the Giant, HBO’s 2018 documentary on the life of André René Roussimoff, the first global star in professional wrestling. Roussimoff was born with gigantism, and would eventually be billed at 7′ 4″ and 520 pounds. He grew up on a farm in the north of France to immigrant parents before outgrowing his small life and traveling the world as the “8th wonder of the world.”

You’ve most likely have heard of André the Giant, even if you’re not a fan of pro wrestling (like me). But this isn’t a story about wrestling, it’s the story of the most peculiar life. You see, there are few lives as interesting and difficult to understand as Roussimoff’s. Part legendary drinker, known to drink more than a hundred beers and more than a dozen bottles of wine, part global celebrity who could not go anywhere without being gawked at, part gentleman who was exceedingly generous and kind to those around him, his story is one of an entertainer who loved the people he entertained.

André the Giant is directed by Jason Heir, who’s been dominating nearly all sports conversation as of late with his Last Dance docu-series on the Chicago Bulls 1998 championship year and Michael Jordan’s last year with the team. In many ways, examining André’s life probably made for good practice before diving into Jordan’s, both full of wonder and mystery. In the case of André, Heir finds all the joy the wrestler brought to fans and the kindness he displayed to those who loved him, while masking the lifelong pain he endured as he helped professional wrestling go from hundreds of regional freak shows across the world and into the most popular, drama-filled soap opera on television.