‘Rapinoe’ Review: Megan Rapinoe Portrait Is More Than Just Another Celebrity Doc

Megan Rapinoe’s documentary, "Rapinoe," directed by Rebeca Huntt, offers a nuanced portrait of the soccer star and activist. Unlike typical celebrity documentaries, this film delves into the complexities and tensions Rapinoe has faced in her public life. Huntt's probing documentary uncovers the challenges Rapinoe must navigate, revealing her need to "disassociate" to perform at the highest level of soccer and handle the immense pressure that comes with it.

This phrase is just one example of the insights that make "Rapinoe" stand out from other celebrity biopics. The film traces Rapinoe's journey from childhood to soccer stardom and beyond, offering a balanced look at her victories and the physical and mental costs of her career. The opening scene at the Toronto International Film Festival sets the tone, as the film explores Rapinoe's life in a structured yet introspective manner.

From her early struggles with family dynamics to her time with the Seattle Reign FC, where she initially felt disappointed but ultimately found growth, Huntt captures Rapinoe's complex character. The documentary's use of film, water as a motif, and candid moments of Rapinoe speaking with her fiancé Sue Bird provide a deeper emotional connection to her story.

While not as intimate as Huntt's previous work, "Bebe," "Rapinoe" still manages to reveal a vulnerable side of Rapinoe, showcasing her fears, anxieties, and the toll her public persona takes on her personal life. The film refrains from focusing on recent personal drama, instead offering a restrained yet revealing exploration of how Rapinoe is navigating her life beyond soccer.

In doing so, Huntt's compassionate yet penetrating lens provides a more complete picture of Rapinoe than ever before.