Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by dave c (A) on February 13, 2006 at 12:58:09

I saw this film last night at an advance screening. Its about a Mexican boy growing up as an illegal in LA who is spotted by a British ex-soccer player and goes to England to follow his dream of playing football (OK, soccer for you Yanks!).
The screenplay is by Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais who I hadn't heard from in some years and in addition to some good solid BRitish actors there are a number of footballers in there playing themselves although David Beckham's appearance in a nightclub is gratuitous to say the least.
Its not a great film. Few sports' film are, if any.
But its pacey and heart warming and the scenes of the crowds at Newcastle's ground (That's where its set) are very good at getting the right atmosphere.
The stadium looks very good with some aeriel photography, and the shots of people streaming into the area are good too.
The plot is predictable but I don't think that's too much of a problem.
This is an entertaining 2 hours and gets as close to soccer as I have really seen a film get.
If you have soccer loving kids then I am sure they would enjoy it.
THere is one scene where our hero gets set up with some scantly clad models but otherwise is fine for children... of all ages.