New U.S. Release

Rock Paper Scissors: A Geek Tragedy

 (Documentary -- Canada)

By DENNIS HARVEY

A Flip Flop Films presentation of a Good N' Proper production. Produced by Julian Cautherley, Michael Lane, Mike McKeown, Pat McKinnon. Directed by Mike McKeown.
 
With: Douglas Walker, Graham Walker, Master Roshambollah, C. Urbanis, Matti Leshem, Fist Full o' Sneer.
 

Further proof that nothing is too trivial to become somebody's (even a lot of somebodies') obsession, "Rock Paper Scissors" charts a couple of tumultuous years in the lives of two Canadian brothers determined to bring the titular childhood game to a global competition label. Like that quest, Mike McKeown's debut feature docu is primarily tongue-in-cheek, but not immune to real conflict. Amusing tale, comparable to "The King of Kong" if not quite as compelling in the human-drama department, could conceivably attract modest theatrical exposure before cable and DVD sales.

Toronto siblings Doug and Graham Walker, otherwise known (according to one TV news commentator) as "a buncha morons in Canada," started the World RPS Society as a joke, then were amazed at the public response. A first official championship in 2002 sold out within minutes; two years later, they were hosting pro tours, courting sponsors and negotiating with major cable nets in advance of the 2004 event. But with success comes envy: Briskly paced pic's last lap sees the brothers' concept hijacked by a former collaborator with deeper pockets and a glitzier commercial vision for a competing RPS org.

Camera (color, mini-DV), Chris Malby, Pat McKinnon; editors, Evan Finn, Julian Cautherley, McKeown; music, Dan Raziel. Reviewed on DVD, San Francisco, March 11, 2009. (In Cinequest Film Festival, San Jose, Calif.) Running time: 88 MIN.