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A series centered around a group of football players and their families, friends, and handlers.
Not having viewed either of the first two seasons, I was pleased to learn that one can drop into Season 3 of “Ballers” unannounced and pick up a sense of the action right off the bat. Sporting an unfortunate, but perhaps aptly descriptive title, I had not previously made any particular effort to watch the HBO Original Series about the machinations of NFL players and the coterie that surrounds them.
Starring Dwayne Johnson as Spencer Strasmore, “Ballers” is about a former NFL star linebacker who is now using his reputation and relationships to secure clients for a financial advisory firm in which he is part owner. Unquestionably, Johnson carries the production from beginning to end. Not only is he a better actor than first appearances might have suggested, he is now also a bona fide international movie box office draw.
“Ballers” also stars John David Washington, Omar Benson Miller, and Rob Corddry. The series follows the exploits of sports agents, their clients, team owners and league officials through various, often-uncomfortable situations. In the case of Season 3, the overarching theme concerns the possible sale of Strasmore’s agency and the fate of a storied NFL franchise.
Omar Benson Miller, perhaps best known for his days on “CSI: Miami,” is cast as former player Charles Greane, who is married to a wicked-smart, attractive doctor played by Jazmyn Simon. After retiring from the game, Greane winds up in the front office of the Miami Dolphins and finds himself constantly mediating between players and coaches on the one hand, and a demanding general manager (actor Dulé Hill) on the other. Along with Dwayne Johnson, Miller enjoys many of the more memorable scenes in Season 3’s adventures.
Steve Guttenberg is delightful to watch as Wayne Hastings, Jr., a Steve Wynn surrogate Vegas mogul. Guttenberg has come a long way from his early comedic roles and is pitch-perfect here as the casino baron courted by Spencer to relocate an NFL franchise to Las Vegas from Oakland.
Richard Schiff as the agency owner and Steven Weber as his younger but wealthier brother are constantly dueling in a rarified form of sibling rivalry. Together they attempt to establish an uneasy alliance in order to make a competing offer for the Oakland Raiders.
“Ballers” is somewhat reminiscent of “Draft Day” with Kevin Costner, a vastly underrated film from 2014. Although the Ivan Reitman-directed project was a disappointment at the box office, it is nonetheless a highly satisfying and plot-rich excursion through an NFL draft day – complete with Roger Goodell on hand to lend credibility to the marvelous ensemble. If you like “Ballers” you should give “Draft Day” a look.
Often compared to HBO’s “Entourage” Original Series, “Ballers” feels like a step up – most notably, with the decision to infuse the production with less unnecessary urgency. I can’t speak to whether Season 3 is better, worse or more of the same than Seasons 1 and 2. Regardless, I can say that with doubt, Season 3 augers well on its own merits. Enough so, that I will be seeking out the previous season online or on DVD, as well as anticipating the release of the recently-announced Season 4 of “Ballers.”
Now available on Blu-ray & DVD
