Directed by Thea Sharrock and written by Frank Cottrell Boyce, The Beautiful Game is an all-consuming, magnificently inspirational film that’s bound to leave a mark. Set in England and then Rome, Italy, it’s full of endearing moments left and right that feel both a little familiar and wholly unexpected simultaneously. It’s a gorgeous spectacle people shouldn’t miss, tailor-made for sports fans and possibly even those missing Ted Lasso a little extra.
Starring Bill Nighy, Micheal Ward, Susan Wokoma, Callum Scott Howells, Kit Young, Sheyi Cole, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Robin Nazari, Aoi Okuyama, Cristina Rodlo, Tadashi Watanabe, Kazuhiro Muroyama, and Valeria Golino, every player in The Beautiful Game brings something indescribably heartwarming to the screen. Like similar films within the genre, plenty of moments could’ve easily felt too saccharine or far-fetched. Still, with the inspiration drawn from actual events, every part of the film holds an authenticity that grips the audience right where they need it to.Â
It tugs so easily on the heartstrings as a story about second chances that by the time you’re finished, all you are left with is the belief that exploring human complexities in all their most vulnerable forms results in the best narratives. It’s rare to watch something and feel like you could find inspiration in every frame. The Beautiful Game doesn’t give its audience anything new to think about, but it serves as a brilliant character study about what it means to be part of a team and how that impacts a person’s day-to-day actions.Â
However, if you are new to the world of football, it could be a pleasant distinction to learn that the Homeless World Cup is indeed a real event in which players from all over participate in. This bit of joy that comes to life on screen with characters who are so easy to root for makes the film an incredibly special depiction of what it means to give people chances despite how circumstances present themselves. There’s such rich character development presented among all the players that it’s a true shame that this is merely a film and not a TV series. I would’ve personally adored getting to know each of them better.
Bill Nighy, often one of the most sensational actors of our time, wears his heart on his sleeve exquisitely as Mal, the team’s manager. There’s a warmth in his characterization that’s so palpable from the first moment we meet him that it makes the entire two hours pass far too quickly. Additionally, while the cast plays a tremendous role in layering each of their characters, there is something to be said about how much the writing also shows us, even when we don’t have enough time to dig into nuances as much as we’d love to.
The Beautiful Game feels like this year’s The Holdovers. It is a somber yet hopeful depiction of what triumph truly looks like in the face of hardships and abandonment. There’s a light sprinkled into every frame that seamlessly brings a comforting sense of warmth. It’s a story that effortlessly presses the audience to look inward and understand that what we see on the surface doesn’t exhibit what’s happening on the inside. It’s a thoughtful deconstruction of why having a team and a community matters, even when we lose the game we’re playing. It’s an honest, bold portrayal of what commitment looks like and an astounding account of how faith in another human could be the very thing they need to cross the bridges in their path. And ultimately, there’s no question that it’s easily one of the best films of the year.
The Beautiful Game premieres exclusively on Netflix on March 29.
First Featured Image | Poster Credit: ©Netflix.