Going for goal
12 ★★★ In cinemas now and streaming on Netflix from March 29
Brazilian star Pele’s 1977 autobiography My Life And The Beautiful Game may have popularised the rose-tinted description of football but documented origins of this oft-traded cliche are up for passionate debate.
Directed by Thea Sharrock, ringmaster of the potty-mouthed comedy Wicked
Little Letters, The Beautiful Game is a life-affirming drama of sporting underdogs, inspired by true stories from the Homeless World Cup.
The annual tournament invites teams of homeless players from around the world to shape attitudes to a global issue using the universal language of football.
Screenwriter Frank Cottrellboyce scores an own goal by withholding the backstory of standoffish lead character Vinny (Micheal Ward), who is sleeping in his car. His wounded pride compels him to conceal his predicament from his ex-girlfriend and young daughter.
Veteran football scout Mal (Bill Nighy) persuades Vinny to play in the England team for the 20th edition of the Homeless World Cup in Rome. Vinny bulldozes into the squad, creating friction with fellow striker Cal (Kit Young), socially awkward nice guy Jason (Sheyi Cole), recovering drug addict Nathan (Callum Scott Howells), Syrian refugee Aldar (Robin Nazari) and goalkeeper Kevin (Tom Vaughan-lawlor).
The Beautiful Game is wholesome and heartwarming to the point of earnestness, politely kicking about themes of regret, grief and compassion as rivalries are established in 15-minute four-a-side group matches ahead of the knockout stage.
Nighy plays to loveable, self-deprecating type while Susan Wokoma is hysterical as the God-fearing manager of South Africa’s team. Ward’s hero in need of redemption verges on unsympathetic without context for his selfish actions until the film goes into extra time to engineer a fairy-tale finish from the penalty spot.
We know how that usually ends for an England team…
Vinny bulldozes into the squad creating friction with other players