Eddie the Eagle
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Taron Egerton, Christopher Walken
Three stars
British ski-jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards is probably not a name many people in the Middle East as familiar with – for the obvious environmental reason that the region has never been a key player in the Winter Olympics.
However, you don’t need to be an expert on winter sports – to be honest, Edwards was not, either – to enjoy this entertaining tale of an ordinary man’s struggle against the odds.
Despite being physically unremarkable, Edwards dreamt of becoming an Olympian. Having realised his limitations meant it was unlikely he could compete in any of the more popular events, he turned his attention to ski jumping.
Britain had never competed in the event at the Olympics, so he faced literally no competition and there was no real qualifying process to speak of.
He did, however, face stiff opposition from the British Olympic association and his own team mates. Despite this, he did represent his country at the 1998 games in Calgary, and briefly became an unlikely international celebrity.
While based on the true story, the movie does takes a few creative liberties. Hugh Jackman’s character, Johnson Peary, is fictitious, for example. He is a hard-drinking, chain-smoking former American ski jumper who left the US Olympic team under a cloud.
Despite initial misgivings, Peary agrees to train Edwards (Taron Egerton), becoming a friend and mentor in the process, as he faces his own demons.
At heart, then, this a fairly traditional, plucky, underdog, sporting, buddy movie that sits comfortably alongside similar British comedies such as Billy Elliot or Bend It Like Beckham.
But although there’s nothing original about the format, it is a very well-executed example. It’s refreshing that no attempt is made to give the story a Hollywood ending – history isn’t rewritten to turn Edwards into anything other than what he was in real life.
There are laughs aplenty along the way, mostly at the absurdity of the unsuitability of Edwards for his chosen role – but the filmmakers generate the comedy without being disrespectful or making Edwards a figure of fun or ridicule. The growing friendship between Peary and Edwards is both heart-warming and believable.
The high point of the movie is a stunning, Oscar-worthy performance from Kingsman star Egerton. Those who remember Edwards from his days as a British folk hero will appreciate just how completely Egerton transorms into Eddie the Eagle – the awkward mannerisms, the childlike belief in his limited abilities and the loveable, eccentric nature of the character are captured to perfection. An impressive hair and make-up job complete the transformation.
If an inspirational feel-good movie with plenty of laughs is what you need this weekend, you won’t find a better option than this.
cnewbould@thenational.ae
