As one would expect from what’s essentially a feature-length sports highlight reel, Bye Bye Barry compiles some stunning archival footage of Barry Sanders’ best runs, given exactly the star treatment it deserves through a grand score and endless praise from the film’s talking heads. But those who might want anything deeper—perhaps about Detroit’s football culture, or the factors that may have led to Sanders’ early retirement—get very little to chew on here. It’s a film that still seems unsure of what it really wants to be, respecting Sanders’ humility and private nature but filling the documentary with famous figures who end up forcing us to view the player as more legend than human.
When NFL superstar Barry Sanders vanished at the height of his career, he left the NFL world in shock. He was still in his prime, chasing the all-time NFL rushing record when he boarded a flight to England and never stepped foot on the field again. Now, 24 years later, Barry retraces his steps through the streets of London to finally confront the mystery.
A retrospective on the career of Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders, leading up to his abrupt decision to quit American football.
Despite the film's attempts to mythologize Sanders even more, you really have to give it up to the guy for sticking to his guns and being exactly as modest as people say he is. When the documentary eventually arrives at Sanders' retirement, we actually don't get that much detail about his decision—not even when we see him discussing it with his own children. But Sanders' refusal to give fans what they want never rings arrogant, only sincere. This is a man who always wanted people to think of more important things beyond his own status, and he admirably continues endorsing that here.
I guess we finally found the thing that connects (checks notes) Eminem and Tim Allen.
