This week for the BMAF household we saw Eddie the Eagle, a film based (very loosely) on the true events of Eddie Edwards, who became the first British Ski Jumper at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Oddly enough this film will most likely have you thinking of Cool Runnings, the film about the Jamaican Bobsled team, as this also happened at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
The film follows a young Eddie (Taron Egerton) and his challenges to be taken seriously as a contender for the Olympics. No one believes in him from his own father (Keith Allen) to the actual Team GB board of selectors led by Dustin target (Tim McInnerny)
Even when Eddie makes the actual ski slopes, he is insulted and ridiculed by the Norwegian Ski team led by Bjorn (Rune Temte) but he eventually finds an ally and coach in Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman) a disgraced former jumper
The Bronson character is completely made up for the film, as was the coach role of the late John Candy in cool runnings.
The GB team keep putting every prevention possible in Eddie’s way to prevent him completing his dream but with the help of Bronson, he does make the requirements made and fulfil his dream of competing in the Winter Olympics.
This really is one of those films that gets classed as a Feel Good movie, Taron is great in the lead role, with Hugh offering a great supporting performance bringing humour into his washed up coach role.
Despite the film, only being 10% based on the true Eddie story (he claimed in an interview with BBC) you can not take away what a tremendous achievement it was for him to participate in those winter games (that part, is of course, true)
Jo Hartley also is worth mentioning, as she puts in a great performance as Eddie’s biggest supporter and fan (His Mum) also bringing some great moments is Jim Broadbent as a commentator at the games.
This is a great film where thanks to the way the story is told, you are 100% behind Eddie to do well, from his dad telling him he will never come of anything to those in charge of the selecting committee and the other athletes, who eventually come around when they see that Eddie is serious about the event and is not doing this to make some quick money.
Of course, the film is not without faults, whilst the performances are great, the film never seems sure if it wants to be a drama telling the story or a comedy, it is a mix of the two which at times feels uneven, this of course may be in part knowing that the truth has been stretched so far.
We would also have loved to have seen more of the relationship between Bronson and Warren Sharp (Christopher Walken).
But these are minor moans which take away from a great film about believing in yourself and defeating the odds that are set against you. If you loved Cool Runnings; Sporting films or films about the Underdog, then this really is a must see for you.
What is your favourite Sports film or biopic about a Sports Star we would love to hear from you here at Barking Mad About Films
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