[MOVIE REVIEW] The Grizzlie Truth is the Detective Movie You Didn’t Know You Needed

So what really happened to the Vancouver Grizzlies? Here is our review of the NBA crime story, The Grizzlie Truth! The movie is directed by Kathleen S. Jayme and was screened as part of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF).

Most people in North America know what the NBA (National Basketball Association) is. And of course those people, a vast majority will have a favorite team. Whether it’s the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat, or the Dallas Mavericks, the common denominator is that your favorite team is usually the one that belongs to your hometown. While a portion of the fans of the Memphis Grizzlies are such hometown fans from Tennessee, another huge part of the team’s fandom comes from another region they once called home — Vancouver, Canada.

Once known as the Vancouver Grizzlies, the team only spent a measly six years in the Canadian city. Yet the impact they had on their fans has lasted even until now, in 2023. THE GRIZZLIE TRUTH follows superfan and filmmaker Kat Jayme, as she embarks on a journey to find out the reason behind her beloved team’s departure from her hometown. 

What does Kat Jayme want to know?

Set up similarly to a true-crime film, this documentary follows Jayme as she travels throughout the U.S. and Canada. Searching for important players, coaches, managers, and more that were involved with the Vancouver Grizzlies. Her goal is simple — to uncover the real reason the Grizzlies migrated south to Memphis. On her way to finding that truth, Jayme meets her old heroes, makes new friends, and discovers that not everything is black and white. Not one particular person or thing is to blame for the move. Jayme ultimately discovers that, although the team has left the city, the memories made there will always remain. That there’s always the opportunity to make new ones to go along with them, even in the most unexpected places.

With the unique format of the film, the genuineness and dedication from Jayme is plain to see. What may seem like a silly topic to others is something the filmmaker takes very seriously. She holds it near and dear to her! The movie does a great job of showing her heart on the big screen. On one side, we see candid interviews with prominent figures such as Stu Jackson, Byron Scott, Bryant Reeves, Mike Bibby, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and even Steve Francis. On the other, superfans with similar wishes to see the Vancouver Grizzlies once again, and her father, who tells their immigrant story and how it relates to the sport and the team. Jayme is able to tell her and her family’s story. She is able to help the audience understand the meaning of the team to her.

How would you feel if your team left your city?

With such an important tale to tell, THE GRIZZLIE TRUTH is well balanced using witty humor intermixed with the more serious and somber moments. The background music pairs perfectly with every scene. It creates moments to induce laughter and moments to induce tears, and perspective switches during conversations help emphasize the true crime documentary style format of the film. 

Summing it all up, THE GRIZZLIE TRUTH is a light-hearted yet meaningful watch for anyone, even if they aren’t familiar with basketball, the NBA, or the Memphis or Vancouver Grizzlies. It’s a one-of-a-kind project made with passion! Watching the film is an easy way for the audience to get a view into Jayme’s heart, mind, and soul. It showcases her love for the sport, the team, and the community of fans, and the bond with her family that she found through it all. 

You can view more about the movie here.

Official Movie Trailer:

Written by: Ephney Tsai