A movie about soccer... I guess only English filmmakers can make it really work. Because a movie about soccer isn't just about the sport alone: it's a way of living. It's the soccer on tele, it's the soccer on the schoolyard, it's the soccer in the pub, it's the soccer in the stadium... If you watch Jimmy Grimble you know that the writer and director really understand and love the sport. It really shows.
After watching this movie for probably the tenth time I thought it was time to comment on it on the IMDb. Cause movies like these, well, they just deserve a big audience.
Jimmy Grimble is a boy with a lot of problems. Every day some bullies beat him up, his mother dates the wrong guy and he wants so much play for the school soccer team that it hurts. Finally his wish is granted. He joins the schoolteam as the 12th player but before the first match Gordon (the headbully)throws away his soccerboots. Jimmy decides to try the shoes he got from an old lady. And wow, these boots look like magical ones! Suddenly Jimmy Grimble becomes a great player that leads his team to the school finals. There's only one person who isn't happy with this: his arch enemy Gordon. He'll do anything to make him fail...
What I like so much about this movie is the story. It's about more than just soccer. An important role is played by the always brilliant and daring Robert Carlisle as the coach of the schoolteam. Once he was an important player for Man City, but something happened that took his life in a total different direction. Carlisle isn't afraid of portraying a person who sometimes behaves cowardly and insecure (like in 28 Weeks Later). He gives his character a natural sadness and humanity. Come to think of it, the whole cast is brilliant. Bobbie Powell as the head bully - a funny David Beckham look-a-like - is great to watch. Man, he's evil! Too bad he and actor Lewis McKenzie (who plays Jimmy Grimble) didn't act much after this movie.
There's only one Jimmy Grimble is a brilliant piece of work. Maybe even the best movie about soccer ever. And of course it contains the immortal line in case you don't know what to do with the ball in a soccer match: "Just GIVE IT TO GORDON!"
Go watch it!
9/10
After watching this movie for probably the tenth time I thought it was time to comment on it on the IMDb. Cause movies like these, well, they just deserve a big audience.
Jimmy Grimble is a boy with a lot of problems. Every day some bullies beat him up, his mother dates the wrong guy and he wants so much play for the school soccer team that it hurts. Finally his wish is granted. He joins the schoolteam as the 12th player but before the first match Gordon (the headbully)throws away his soccerboots. Jimmy decides to try the shoes he got from an old lady. And wow, these boots look like magical ones! Suddenly Jimmy Grimble becomes a great player that leads his team to the school finals. There's only one person who isn't happy with this: his arch enemy Gordon. He'll do anything to make him fail...
What I like so much about this movie is the story. It's about more than just soccer. An important role is played by the always brilliant and daring Robert Carlisle as the coach of the schoolteam. Once he was an important player for Man City, but something happened that took his life in a total different direction. Carlisle isn't afraid of portraying a person who sometimes behaves cowardly and insecure (like in 28 Weeks Later). He gives his character a natural sadness and humanity. Come to think of it, the whole cast is brilliant. Bobbie Powell as the head bully - a funny David Beckham look-a-like - is great to watch. Man, he's evil! Too bad he and actor Lewis McKenzie (who plays Jimmy Grimble) didn't act much after this movie.
There's only one Jimmy Grimble is a brilliant piece of work. Maybe even the best movie about soccer ever. And of course it contains the immortal line in case you don't know what to do with the ball in a soccer match: "Just GIVE IT TO GORDON!"
Go watch it!
9/10