SPOILERS There is a remarkable inability between sport and cinema to actually cohabit. Despite the obvious importance in the lives of so many people, if you try to name films which actually capture the true essence of sport and translate it to the screen, they fail. Films featuring sport as a plot element, for example Fever Pitch, Escape To Victory, and so on, they can be good films. This is never for a sporting reason though.
As a result therefore, you can't blame the scepticism which comes with the whole concept of "Goal!" as a movie. A kid who plays football for Newcastle, well how riveting can you get? Remarkably, despite the predictable plot and the woeful acting, it actually is quite good.
Let's not be generous, I mean, there are major flaws. David Beckham's cameo in particular is so hideously dreadful, what with the bad delivery and the trimmed eyebrows, and the vast array of make up. At least though he is the only one. Other major stars, Alan Shearer, Raul, Zidane, etc, these stars have the good grace to appear, make a small comment, and then leg it off screen before humiliating themselves.
In regards to the acting of the professionals, that's another mixed bag. Anna Friel manages to talk through the role, as does Sean Pertwee, yet the main star Kuno Becker does alright. I wouldn't cast him in a movie if I was making one, but with the script and story provided, he manages to catch the mood acceptably.
So despite this mixed array, why should we enjoy this film? Well, whilst it's predictable, it does drag you in towards the end, and you do find yourself a bit hooked by the conclusion. Also, and this is the most remarkable part, they actually manage to make Newcastle look attractive. I mean, that doesn't make the film any better, but it's certainly hilarious.
Let's be honest, we should never expect anything from a film like this, and so yeah, the acting is varying from bad to acceptable, and the story is predictable, but when a film can produce the required attraction at the end of the film and simultaneously make a dump like Newcastle look attractive, you've got to give it credit. "Goal!" might be yet another example of sport and cinema not mixing, but there's enough about it to make you happy. Worth a laugh.
As a result therefore, you can't blame the scepticism which comes with the whole concept of "Goal!" as a movie. A kid who plays football for Newcastle, well how riveting can you get? Remarkably, despite the predictable plot and the woeful acting, it actually is quite good.
Let's not be generous, I mean, there are major flaws. David Beckham's cameo in particular is so hideously dreadful, what with the bad delivery and the trimmed eyebrows, and the vast array of make up. At least though he is the only one. Other major stars, Alan Shearer, Raul, Zidane, etc, these stars have the good grace to appear, make a small comment, and then leg it off screen before humiliating themselves.
In regards to the acting of the professionals, that's another mixed bag. Anna Friel manages to talk through the role, as does Sean Pertwee, yet the main star Kuno Becker does alright. I wouldn't cast him in a movie if I was making one, but with the script and story provided, he manages to catch the mood acceptably.
So despite this mixed array, why should we enjoy this film? Well, whilst it's predictable, it does drag you in towards the end, and you do find yourself a bit hooked by the conclusion. Also, and this is the most remarkable part, they actually manage to make Newcastle look attractive. I mean, that doesn't make the film any better, but it's certainly hilarious.
Let's be honest, we should never expect anything from a film like this, and so yeah, the acting is varying from bad to acceptable, and the story is predictable, but when a film can produce the required attraction at the end of the film and simultaneously make a dump like Newcastle look attractive, you've got to give it credit. "Goal!" might be yet another example of sport and cinema not mixing, but there's enough about it to make you happy. Worth a laugh.