Eddie the Eagle (2016)

Review

106min

Genre:      Fact-based, Comedy, Drama, Sport

Director:   Dexter Fletcher

Cast:        Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Jo Hartley…and more

Writers:    Sean Macaulay & Simon Kelton

-Synopsis-

Underdog comedy biopic based on the true story of Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards; a plucky British amateur skier with limited ability who defied the odds and achieved his Olympian dream by becoming the first ever British Olympic Ski-jumper, and in the process won the hearts of the public while riling the sport’s establishment.

In a role that couldn’t be further from his slick junior superspy in last year’s ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’, Taron Egerton stars as an unlikely cult hero who straddled the line between being a sideshow and a motivational figure, written-off by everyone only to make an impact on the global stage.

While Hugh Jackman features as the disgraced former star of the sport who reluctantly coaches Edwards to personal glory, while forming an unlikely bond and taking a journey of self discovery and redemption.

If this narrative sounds familiar, it’s because ‘Eddie the Eagle’ is essentially a British version of 1993 underdog classic ‘Cool Runnings’; that charming family comedy about the other unlikely major story of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, the debut of the Jamaican Bobsled team.

Veteran British actor turned director Dexter Fletcher brings us a nostalgic, feelgood family dramedy with a poptastic 1980s soundtrack, and a synth-heavy score that’ll remind you of every American 80s TV  theme and sports movie montage you’ve ever seen.

‘Eddie the Eagle’ is light entertainment stuffed full of British charm, but it’s only ever moderately entertaining and occasionally funny, while barely illuminating the character of the real man or what his success says about our society.

Ultimately this pop-culture crowd-pleaser is an enjoyable enough distraction that’s as derivative and predictable as it is clichéd and forgettable.

‘Eddie the Eagle’ does manage to get one thing across well, the fact that despite Eddie’s story being somewhat exploitative and a bit of a sideshow; this was a man who took on a dangerous and difficult endeavour after only 1 year of training, with true bravery and determination. And whatever your point of view, he truly was the embodiment, if not the style of the Olympic spirit and ethos.

The Bottom Line…

Taron Egerton’s charm and Hugh Jackman’s star power can’t quite elevate this crowd-pleasing underdog dramedy above being a moderately entertaining distraction, ‘Eddie the Eagle’ is just to clichéd and predictable to make a lasting impact beyond childhood nostalgia.

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Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Cool Runnings (1993)

Disney’s classic underdog family dramedy based on the real exploits of the Jamaican Bobsled team at the 1988 Calgary winter Olympics; where an unlikely ragtag group became the first to represent their nation at a winter Olympics, while riling the sport’s authorities and capturing the hearts of the people in the process.

Directed by Jon Turteltaub and starring Leon, John Candy and Doug E. Doug among others.

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