Year: 2016
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Jo Hartley, and Keith Allen
Tagline: Inspired by a dream come true.
Synopsis: Eddie Edwards' lifelong ambition is to become an Olympian. At age 22, he decides to become a ski jumper so he can compete in the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary.
Tagline: Inspired by a dream come true.
Synopsis: Eddie Edwards' lifelong ambition is to become an Olympian. At age 22, he decides to become a ski jumper so he can compete in the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary.
Review
On my computer, I have an Excel spreadsheet listing every movie I've ever seen. It is broken down by genre and sub-genre. Out of the nearly 900 movies that I've seen over the years, a paltry 15 of those are sports movies. They just aren't my thing. So when I say that Eddie the Eagle is a terrific, uplifting, feel-good film, that's saying something.
In analyzing the movie, it's really quite cliche. It predictably hits every sports movie beat with every trope in the book, including the requisite training montage. There's the supportive mum cheering him on; the cynical dad telling him to get his head out of the clouds; the antagonistic doubters and scoffers; and, of course, the drunken, fallen-from-grace sports hero who becomes the reluctant coach.
But as predictable and cliched as the movie is, I wasn't thinking that at all as I watched it. I was too busy enjoying it. Most of the credit for that goes to Eddie himself, brilliantly portrayed by Taron Egerton. He's such a likable underdog. He's nerdy. He wears glasses. He's awkward (he manages to knock over the entire British downhill skiing team). But he's so full of optimism and buoyant perseverance that you can't help but cheer him on in his dreams. Every time he falls he gets back up again.
What I appreciated most about Eddie the Eagle is that it's a realistic underdog story (it is, after all, inspired [very loosely] on a true story). Eddie doesn't miraculously go from complete novice to gold-medal winner at the Olympics. Eddie's dreams aren't about winning a gold medal, or even a bronze medal. Eddie wants to be an Olympian. And Eddie the Eagle is a film that celebrates participation. It's not about the glory of winning; it's about the the glory of doing your very best and never giving up, no matter what.
The film itself is very well made. The soundtrack has an authentic 80s feel to it. It's not like some movies where they plug in the most famous 80s songs so that you know what decade we're supposed to be in. They use obscure songs in such a natural way that it feels like the movie could have been made 30 years ago. The film uses various camera shots during the ski jumping scenes. Some of them work better than others. Some give you a sense of the rush. Some look goofy. A few look quite fake.
The movie is rated PG-13 for smoking and some thematic content (Jackman's character compares ski jumping to intercourse). If there was any swearing, it was mild and forgettable. There are some naked Norwegians (nothing is shown).
Cliched as it may be, Eddie the Eagle is a fantastic, inspiring film that had me cheering (silently) in my seat. It's very fun and it's very funny. I highly recommend it ... even if you don't like sports movies.
*** Spoiler Section ***
My favorite moment in the movie is the final interaction between Eddie and Matti Nykanen, aka "The Flying Finn." Throughout the film, the gold-medal champion has been dismissive of the novice Englishman. When the two men get in the elevator together for their ride to the top of the 90 meter slope, I was expecting a brief, slightly begrudging compliment from Matti. Instead, there was a great moment in what was probably an impossibly long elevator ride.
Rather than patronizing Eddie, Matti insists that the two of them are not so different. Win or lose, all each of them wants is to do their personal best. They cannot be satisfied with anything less. If they were to give less than their best efforts, it would forever haunt them. I really liked that message, probably because it is me to a T.
In analyzing the movie, it's really quite cliche. It predictably hits every sports movie beat with every trope in the book, including the requisite training montage. There's the supportive mum cheering him on; the cynical dad telling him to get his head out of the clouds; the antagonistic doubters and scoffers; and, of course, the drunken, fallen-from-grace sports hero who becomes the reluctant coach.
But as predictable and cliched as the movie is, I wasn't thinking that at all as I watched it. I was too busy enjoying it. Most of the credit for that goes to Eddie himself, brilliantly portrayed by Taron Egerton. He's such a likable underdog. He's nerdy. He wears glasses. He's awkward (he manages to knock over the entire British downhill skiing team). But he's so full of optimism and buoyant perseverance that you can't help but cheer him on in his dreams. Every time he falls he gets back up again.
What I appreciated most about Eddie the Eagle is that it's a realistic underdog story (it is, after all, inspired [very loosely] on a true story). Eddie doesn't miraculously go from complete novice to gold-medal winner at the Olympics. Eddie's dreams aren't about winning a gold medal, or even a bronze medal. Eddie wants to be an Olympian. And Eddie the Eagle is a film that celebrates participation. It's not about the glory of winning; it's about the the glory of doing your very best and never giving up, no matter what.
The film itself is very well made. The soundtrack has an authentic 80s feel to it. It's not like some movies where they plug in the most famous 80s songs so that you know what decade we're supposed to be in. They use obscure songs in such a natural way that it feels like the movie could have been made 30 years ago. The film uses various camera shots during the ski jumping scenes. Some of them work better than others. Some give you a sense of the rush. Some look goofy. A few look quite fake.
The movie is rated PG-13 for smoking and some thematic content (Jackman's character compares ski jumping to intercourse). If there was any swearing, it was mild and forgettable. There are some naked Norwegians (nothing is shown).
Cliched as it may be, Eddie the Eagle is a fantastic, inspiring film that had me cheering (silently) in my seat. It's very fun and it's very funny. I highly recommend it ... even if you don't like sports movies.
*** Spoiler Section ***
My favorite moment in the movie is the final interaction between Eddie and Matti Nykanen, aka "The Flying Finn." Throughout the film, the gold-medal champion has been dismissive of the novice Englishman. When the two men get in the elevator together for their ride to the top of the 90 meter slope, I was expecting a brief, slightly begrudging compliment from Matti. Instead, there was a great moment in what was probably an impossibly long elevator ride.
Rather than patronizing Eddie, Matti insists that the two of them are not so different. Win or lose, all each of them wants is to do their personal best. They cannot be satisfied with anything less. If they were to give less than their best efforts, it would forever haunt them. I really liked that message, probably because it is me to a T.
Quotable Quotes
- "I was wondering if you could give me a few pointers.... How do you land?" -- Eddie to the Norwegian team
- "Personal best! And we're a disgrace!" -- Bronson to Eddie
- "And where do you think you're going?" "The Olympics." -- Eddie's mum and Eddie
- "He's going to break his neck." "I'm going to break his neck." -- Eddie's mum and dad
- "What's that fluff on your face?" "My mustache?" "Is that what you call it?" -- Bronson and Eddie
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