Danielle Solzman
D. Wade: Life Unexpected presents an unfiltered look at NBA star Dwyane Wade as the future Hall of Fame enters his final year in the NBA.
Filmmaker Bob Metelus and Wade are long time friends. It’s because of this that we’re getting a look into the ballplayer’s life that is so raw and unfiltered. Could another filmmaker be able to do this? Maybe but what Metelus is able to do is present a side of Wade that fans might not see on the court.
The first time that I heard of Dwyane Wade came in March 2003. This was when my beloved Kentucky Wildcats faced Wade and the Marquette Golden Eagles in the Midwest Regional Final of the 2003 NCAA Tournament. I don’t have to tell you what happened next: the Cats lost and Marquette would go onto fall to the Kansas Jayhawks in the Final Four.
All that aside, we do get some fascinating insight into The Decision. Remember when LeBron James made his free agency announcement in July 2010? It turns out that he went into radio silence before doing so!
Overall, no stone is left unturned in this documentary. All the major things that one thinks about when it comes to Wade are included. Whether it’s Gabrielle Union-Wade’s struggles to get pregnant or something else, the never-before-seen footage are where fans are truly able to benefit in viewing the film. It’s videos of the home life that provide more insight into who Wade is as a human. Knowing who somebody is on the court is one thing. However, knowing who they are as a person is a completely different matter.
The documentary includes the recent footage that made its way around the internet about his daughter coming out as transgender. Wade talks on camera about never knowing if he was around somebody who was gay or transgender when he was a kid. When his child came out, Wade said that he “had to get educated on every scenario and every situation.” To this day, he is still being educated. Referring to the moment when Zaya came out to him as a transgender girl, Wade says:
“My job is to help you become who you are but I’m not trying to change who you are. I see you how you see you. I stand for you.”
Speaking as a transgender woman, if this moment doesn’t get the tears flowing, I don’t know what will.
D. Wade: Life Unexpected doesn’t leave anything off the table.
DIRECTOR: Bob Metelus
FEATURING: Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, Pat Riley
