Eddie the Eagle - directed by Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Tim McInnerny, Jo Hartley, Keith Allen, Jack Costello, Tom Costello, Christopher Walken, Edvin Endre, Mads Sjogard Pettersen, Marc Benjamin, Iris Berben, Carlton Bunce, Mark Benton, Edvin Endre,
Screenplay: Sean Macaulay, Simon Kelton
Music Score by: Matthew Margeson
Cinematography: George Richmond
Edited by: Martin Walsh
Running Time: 106 minutes
Rated: PG - Mild Sexual innuendo
I remember Eddie "The Eagle Edwards" from the time when he was in the news.
In my case I knew him first from mentions in Computer & Videogames magazine in relation to (presumably) 'Winter Games' by Epyx games and frequent mentions of his lack of success.
Every word written about him in that publication and in others seemed to be a mixture of condescension and celebration.
He wasn't successful in the traditional sense you see - he didn't win much.
But he was a character, the press and the public loved him and he gained quite a degree of fame.
A movie about Eddie (real name Michael Edwards) was mooted some time ago with Steve Coogan in the lead.
This didn't happen and neither did the next iteration with Harry Potter's Rupert Grint in the role.
Without putting down either of those choices it seems fortuitous that they didn't pan out because the star and the version that we now have on screens has worked superbly well.
You see- this movie is an absolute gem.
Beginning with the young Eddie deciding that he wants to be an Olympian in track and field events we follow him as a knee condition is overcome and many, many pairs of glasses are broken as he trains.
He is dismal at hurdles, javelin, hammer throw.... and everything else that the Summer Olympics offers.
As an older man he finally gives up and settles into a life as a plasterer as his Father had always wanted.
But the first day on the job puts him right next door to an artificial ski slope and he realises that the Winter Olympics might be the better option.
After repeatedly threatening to run away to the great sporting event as a child he finally makes good on the threat as an adult and leaves for Germany where the Ski Jump practice arena is.
The early scenes do a great job setting the tone here.
There is none of the condescension that I detected in those magazine stories years ago.
It is clear that Eddie is to be rooted for. There is a sweetness to him and from his Mother in particualr in her support of him.
Even his Father who is not at all supportive of the boys dream is a kind, caring man.
Eddie himself is a genuine guy - doesn't drink, nice to everyone that he meets even if they aren't in turn nice to him and utterly determined in his goal to be an Olympian.
As funny as I found it watching the young Eddie failing these scenes are in stark contrast to how invested I was in watching him once he got a pair of skis on.
There have been many comparisons to the Jamaican Bobsled movie "Cool Runnings" and these are appropriate.
(coincidentally they competed at the very same Winter Games that Eddie did)
Both movies rely heavily on the interactions between competitor(s) and coach.
It was the late John Candy playing the coach in "Cool Runnings" but for Eddie it is Hugh Jackman.
It is hard to imagine who could have been a better choice to play the role of a drunken former playboy sports champ.
Jackman's natural charisma and history on screen aids greatly here as does his chemistry with Taron Egerton as Eddie.
There are some genuinely dramatic moments between the two amidst all of the humorous ones and the pair are perfect.
The casting all around is bang on with Tim McInnerny ("Blackadder", "Notting Hill") playing a smarmy Olympic selector who disapproves of Eddie and the legendary Christopher Walken making an appearance.
It should be noted that there is exceptional work from Jo Hartley and Keith Allen as Eddie's parents and from the great Iris Berben as a kindly (and amorous) German bar manager.
The latter gets a great introductory scene that is directed beautifully.
Dexter Fletcher the actor has starred in a wide range of fare from the underrated "The Rachel Papers" to "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" to "Band Of Brothers".
As director "Eddie the Eagle" marks his third feature after gritty drama "Wild Bill" in 2011 and musical "Sunshine On Leith" in 2013.
Both have great casts and received excellent critical responses.
With "Eddie the Eagle" he seems set to continue this trend.
This movie alone bodes very well for his career behind the camera.
He utilises both original scoring and eighties pop songs extremely well. The music never seems cliched or overused but adds just the right amount of underpinning and sense of era.
The visual style is also restrained and effective.
The ski jump scenes forgo flashy edits and showy angles to instead centre the action and the tension completely on Eddie as he takes on the considerable challenges ahead.
There are plenty of moments where the film tugs at the emotions and none of them come off as cheap or un-earned.
There is a subtlety to the big emotional moments that is refreshing and they work in a big way.
I loved this movie and cannot imagine anyone of any age not feeling the same way.
I laughed a lot for sure but every time Eddie stepped up to the top of a ski jump ramp I was right there with him with fingers crossed and eyes glued to the screen.
There isn't a dull moment in this movie and barely a scene in which Eddie doesn't feature.
Taron Egerton has been mentioned as a possible James Bond recently - probably more for his work in the staggeringly good "Kingsman: The Secret Service" than this film but I doubt that the quality of his work here will hurt this or any other role that he is up for.
I don't usually like the phrase 'feel-good movie' but it really does fit this one.
Even if you know how this all turns out there are surprises aplenty throughout its 106 minutes.
Each and every second is uplifting, inspiring and genuine.
You'll love this one.
Special credit too for the Bo Derek reference!
RATING: 82 / 100
CONCLUSION: A testament to what can be achieved with a great script, masterful use of a soundtrack and Hugh Jackman and the subtle application of Christopher Walken. An uplifting, very funny delight and a big calling card from a director worth keeping an eye on.
Screenplay: Sean Macaulay, Simon Kelton
Music Score by: Matthew Margeson
Cinematography: George Richmond
Edited by: Martin Walsh
Running Time: 106 minutes
Rated: PG - Mild Sexual innuendo
I remember Eddie "The Eagle Edwards" from the time when he was in the news.
In my case I knew him first from mentions in Computer & Videogames magazine in relation to (presumably) 'Winter Games' by Epyx games and frequent mentions of his lack of success.
Every word written about him in that publication and in others seemed to be a mixture of condescension and celebration.
He wasn't successful in the traditional sense you see - he didn't win much.
But he was a character, the press and the public loved him and he gained quite a degree of fame.
A movie about Eddie (real name Michael Edwards) was mooted some time ago with Steve Coogan in the lead.
This didn't happen and neither did the next iteration with Harry Potter's Rupert Grint in the role.
Without putting down either of those choices it seems fortuitous that they didn't pan out because the star and the version that we now have on screens has worked superbly well.
You see- this movie is an absolute gem.
Beginning with the young Eddie deciding that he wants to be an Olympian in track and field events we follow him as a knee condition is overcome and many, many pairs of glasses are broken as he trains.
He is dismal at hurdles, javelin, hammer throw.... and everything else that the Summer Olympics offers.
As an older man he finally gives up and settles into a life as a plasterer as his Father had always wanted.
But the first day on the job puts him right next door to an artificial ski slope and he realises that the Winter Olympics might be the better option.
After repeatedly threatening to run away to the great sporting event as a child he finally makes good on the threat as an adult and leaves for Germany where the Ski Jump practice arena is.
 |
| Taron Egerton as Eddie and Hugh Jackman as Bronson |
There is none of the condescension that I detected in those magazine stories years ago.
It is clear that Eddie is to be rooted for. There is a sweetness to him and from his Mother in particualr in her support of him.
Even his Father who is not at all supportive of the boys dream is a kind, caring man.
Eddie himself is a genuine guy - doesn't drink, nice to everyone that he meets even if they aren't in turn nice to him and utterly determined in his goal to be an Olympian.
As funny as I found it watching the young Eddie failing these scenes are in stark contrast to how invested I was in watching him once he got a pair of skis on.
There have been many comparisons to the Jamaican Bobsled movie "Cool Runnings" and these are appropriate.
(coincidentally they competed at the very same Winter Games that Eddie did)
Both movies rely heavily on the interactions between competitor(s) and coach.
It was the late John Candy playing the coach in "Cool Runnings" but for Eddie it is Hugh Jackman.
It is hard to imagine who could have been a better choice to play the role of a drunken former playboy sports champ.
Jackman's natural charisma and history on screen aids greatly here as does his chemistry with Taron Egerton as Eddie.
There are some genuinely dramatic moments between the two amidst all of the humorous ones and the pair are perfect.
The casting all around is bang on with Tim McInnerny ("Blackadder", "Notting Hill") playing a smarmy Olympic selector who disapproves of Eddie and the legendary Christopher Walken making an appearance.
It should be noted that there is exceptional work from Jo Hartley and Keith Allen as Eddie's parents and from the great Iris Berben as a kindly (and amorous) German bar manager.
The latter gets a great introductory scene that is directed beautifully.
Dexter Fletcher the actor has starred in a wide range of fare from the underrated "The Rachel Papers" to "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" to "Band Of Brothers".
 |
| The real Eddie Edwards |
Both have great casts and received excellent critical responses.
With "Eddie the Eagle" he seems set to continue this trend.
This movie alone bodes very well for his career behind the camera.
He utilises both original scoring and eighties pop songs extremely well. The music never seems cliched or overused but adds just the right amount of underpinning and sense of era.
The visual style is also restrained and effective.
The ski jump scenes forgo flashy edits and showy angles to instead centre the action and the tension completely on Eddie as he takes on the considerable challenges ahead.
There are plenty of moments where the film tugs at the emotions and none of them come off as cheap or un-earned.
There is a subtlety to the big emotional moments that is refreshing and they work in a big way.
I loved this movie and cannot imagine anyone of any age not feeling the same way.
I laughed a lot for sure but every time Eddie stepped up to the top of a ski jump ramp I was right there with him with fingers crossed and eyes glued to the screen.
There isn't a dull moment in this movie and barely a scene in which Eddie doesn't feature.
Taron Egerton has been mentioned as a possible James Bond recently - probably more for his work in the staggeringly good "Kingsman: The Secret Service" than this film but I doubt that the quality of his work here will hurt this or any other role that he is up for.
I don't usually like the phrase 'feel-good movie' but it really does fit this one.
Even if you know how this all turns out there are surprises aplenty throughout its 106 minutes.
Each and every second is uplifting, inspiring and genuine.
You'll love this one.
Special credit too for the Bo Derek reference!
No comments:
Post a Comment