‘Under the Boardwalk’ charts the mania of Monopoly

Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story is an entertaining look at the phenomenon of arguably the most successful board game in history. Monopoly has entranced the world for decades, and many players (this one included) have fond memories of rolling the dice as youngsters, in the shadows of parents and siblings. The game, which only seems to grow in popularity, has become an integral part of the American conversation.

Kevin Tostado’s documentary is a benign and engaging look at the Monopoly craze, charting its inception and continued success. There are some oddball characters who emerge — mostly men who compete in national and international Monopoly championships. Although much of the film is structured around these ultra-players, the documentary finds its best footing in the game itself. Looking at why certain people choose certain playing pieces (shoe, Scotty the dog, race car, etc.), and how the capitalist game has expanded into a merchandising mecca, is far more interesting than the individuals who roll the dice.

There are several reasons why the tournament footage in the 88-minute movie doesn’t live up to the hoopla. Try as it might, Under the Boardwalk is not showcasing a sport or competitive contest like so many other similarly plotted films. This is not Spellbound, which looks into spelling bees, or Jig, which looks into Irish step dancing. At the end of the day, Monopoly is a game largely built on chance (experts will likely disagree, citing the trading of properties as obvious strategy). So, a board game championship is a neat premise, but ultimately it’s a luck-of-the-dice situation. Anyone can win, and anyone does win. There are not too many multi-winning personalities who emerge, unlike, say, Texas hold ’em tournaments broadcast on television.

Tostado smartly balances this competition with the overall story of the board game and its placement in history. And, trust me, the mania is as strong as any other cultural phenomenon. There are Monopoly shoes, lunch boxes and limited-edition games. Some players name their dog Scotty, and there’s even a board made of gold with ruby and diamond hotels and houses.

One of the most helpful parts of the documentary is the voiceover, which brings audience members through the often-misunderstood directions behind the game. A lot of ground is covered, including Chance cards, heading to jail and a new variation on the game that speeds up play. For a game that was developed during America’s depression, Monopoly has endured through the years with a simple, but always challenging, concept.

The images of the game are also memorable. Everyone knows Mr. Monopoly and the tokens. There’s probably not a person in the United States (and perhaps the globe) who doesn’t understand how lucrative Boardwalk and Park Place can be. “Go directly to jail” and “Do not pass Go” have entered our everyday lexicon, and most players have their favorite properties. I’ve always been partial to the green properties, which I now realize may be to my detriment.

Under the Boardwalk lassoes much of this fascinating history into a rewarding film that is never short on entertainment. One doesn’t need a national or international championship to bolster this story. The game provides plenty of fun by itself.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story

• 2010

• Directed by Kevin Tostado

• Running time: 88 minutes

• Rated G

• Rating: