Pure As: Jane Watson [Episode 6; last in the series] (2020, New Zealand, no classification available)
Run time 7 minutes 35 seconds, director unknown
Overall rating: 15/15 (★★★★★)
Sweet as or not? – Definitely sweet as; a truly enthralling experience.
Verdict: Final instalment of the Pure As web series gives an enthralling, candid and highly inspirational insight into Jane Watson’s tumultuous formative years and how she built back better.
Watch or Skip? – Watch it now.
Review by Sweet As? Digital Content Staff · March 8th, 2021 (March 9th, 2021 NZT)
Kia ora folks, and welcome back to Sweet As?, the review site that reviews stuff with New Zealand panache from a uniquely NZ perspective, so you don’t have to. In this review, which is also our inaugural International Women’s Day special, Sweet As? shall make its foray onto the web series scene, reviewing the netball documentary series Pure As, although in this review, we shall specifically review the final episode in the series, featuring Silver Ferns defensive mainstay and luminary of both domestic and international netball Jane Watson.
Anyway, it is now time for the obligatory disclaimer. If you are not interested in this type of fare, or if you do not want to watch just over seven and a half minutes of Jane Watson talking about her tumultuous early life amongst other things, or if you do not want to read any content related to International Women’s Day, either longform, short-form or even a mere review like this one, please click away now and move to another corner of this website or of the Internet, i.e. leave this site altogether.
If you are interested, however, please do feel free to continue reading from this point on.
The final episode of Pure As begins with white text on a black background set to a driving rock soundtrack which sets the scene before immediately seguing into what I assume is reconstructed footage of Watson’s formative years, narrated by none other than the subject of this documentary in candid fashion, before cutting to the same white text introducing this episode specifically and returning swiftly to the same reconstructed footage, candid narration and soundtrack, which has by this point become more bleak and akin to something straight out of Shortland Street, medical footage included, reflecting the tumultuous nature of the reconstructed footage aforementioned.
Over the course of this doco, which can only be described as a truly enthralling experience, our interest in how the Jane Watson story pans out is undoubtedly piqued and so full marks are obtained for engagement here, mainly due to the candid, tell-all nature of this documentary as well as how we as viewers are made to feel sympathy for Watson during the darker parts of this webisode, which does include reference to death, in case you were wondering, and how we are eventually all relieved at the fact that she does bounce back better in the end, although the fact that this documentary series follows the somewhat clichéd structure of typical sports movies can be construed as something of a let-down.
In terms of the soundtrack, different pieces of music utilising a diverse instrumental repertoire and conveying a wide range of emotions throughout the documentary, almost, if not completely in sync with the storytelling and ending photographic montage are used which adds to the overall engagement as we are taken on a brief odyssey chronicling thirteen years of Jane Watson’s life, making the experience that bit more enthralling. Kudos to the composer (please tell me who this is in the comments section, of course being sure to keep it family-friendly) for this.
Finally, in terms of the directing, it was satisfactory, although somewhat underwhelming as it followed the typical structure of a documentary, which does make us yearn for change, however it feels conversational, almost informal in nature, as if we’re sitting in the same room having a tête-à-tête with Watson over say, a cup of coffee, and this makes us feel more inspired and empowered by her story, as well as more motivated to take on life.
Last Word
Overall, the final instalment of Pure As focussing on Jane Watson is an engaging watch that is highly empowering, inspirational and a spirit-lifter featuring the titular Silver Ferns netballer and should-be motivational speaker/life coach and a truly enthralling experience, perfect for International Women’s Day watching.
The Addendum
Ratings – Engagement: 5/5, Soundtrack: 5/5, Directing: 5/5
Overall rating: 15/15 (equates to 5 stars overall using Sweet As? star rating calculations criteria)
Sweet as or not? – Definitely sweet as; a truly enthralling insight into Jane Watson’s life.
Watch or skip? – Watch it now. If you’ve just finished reading this review, go and watch it.
How can I watch this web series?
Pure As is available on the Newsroom website (newsroom.co.nz (external link opens in new window)), along with other longform and short form investigative content.
Both this episode, as well as the five preceding episodes, are available in the same place.
All episodes of this web series are also available via the Silver Ferns official fan club (silverfans.co.nz (external link opens in new window)) as so-called ‘exclusive content’, in addition to the LockerRoom section of Newsroom.
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