The Final Quarter, a new Australian documentary, covers the major incidents in the last three years of Adam Goodes’ career, including the incident with the 13-year-old fan who fired racial slurs towards him, McGuire’s infamous “King Kong” comments, his controversial Indigenous war dance against opposition fans and his comments about the prevalence of racism after becoming 2014 Australian of the Year.
The documentary’s greatest strength is that there is no narrator. The whole film is simply footage of actual events, news stories and reactions during the three years spliced together. This footage allows people to see both sides of this 3-year journey, showing the mixed reaction of hatred and praise that Goodes experienced.
The Final Quarter is a compelling viewing experience. You’ll squirm with shame, you’ll find yourself yelling at the screen (perhaps even booing moments featuring Eddie McGuire, Sam Newman or the names of Andrew Bolt or Miranda Devine) and you’ll shed tears of frustration for the deplorable treatment of Goodes’ in the highlights of his career. But in the midst of anger, there are moments of joy placed throughout the film. You will cheer for the voices of reason and the journalists with the integrity to try and steer the conversation from fear to facts and reflection.
Despite much of the material being confronting, The Final Quarter is also inspiring, with a message that each of us will remember: what we say and what we do can affect someone’s culture and identity. It is also a film about the purpose and value of legacies. By calling out racism, he questioned the morals of Australia and made society reflect on how we treat others in our multicultural society. His role in attempting to make Australia a more educated and tolerant country will be remembered long after all the marks, kicks, and tackles have been forgotten.
Overall the film was breathtaking in the sense that you were invested in Goodes’ story made you want to follow Adam’s journey till the very end; through the ups and downs of his last three years. This film is highly recommended for both AFL fans and people who may have never watched an AFL match.
8.5/10
Reviewed by Callum Elliss and Jennifer Klepczarek edited by Joesph Earp (as part of the Film in Revolt writing mentorship program).