- Network: ESPN
- Series Premiere Date: Jun 6, 2023
Critic Reviews
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All told, it’s a fascinating portrait of someone, as Bird says, often denied a place in the greatest-player conversation because of those uncooperative legs and feet, but who does appear to be content with where life has led him, and his ability to keep using a mouth that works (and occasionally overworks) just fine.
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Directed by Steve James (“Hoop Dreams,” “The Interrupters”) and brimming with life and color and positivity, much of it set to a soundtrack filled with tunes by Walton’s beloved Grateful Dead, “The Luckiest Guy in the World” is worthy of the four-part treatment.
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What separates it from other one-subject sports documentaries is the director’s ability to see Walton better than he can see himself. James can honor Walton’s intentions without shying away from what makes him uncomfortable, and he can shape a story around both in a way that leaves audiences fulfilled and exhilarated. No matter how you take Walton’s claim that he’s the luckiest guy in the world, James’ series finds the truth in it.
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"I'm a team player," which becomes a kind of mantra for an interview subject who really doesn't answer some questions while deflecting others and being reflexively contrarian. Was scoring, in fact, his primary option? No. But Mr. James wins points for not making an issue out of it, and making a series that's consistently engaging, enlightening and entertaining, even when his subject—who overcame a lifelong stutter to become a nationally known sports announcer—is unreliable.
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This four-hour docuseries is just jamming, man. As a "30 for 30" installment, the docuseries is beholden to filling hour-long episodes, so this one gives you everything. James develops an emotional narrative that will be most moving for those who don’t know the full story.