Inspired by true events, director/cowriter (and supporting actor) Taika Waititi (JoJo Rabbit, Thor:Ragnarok) creates a big-hearted, amusing tale of camaraderie and teamwork under challenging circumstances.
American Samoa’s soccer team not only loses horribly in their World Cup qualifying game in 2001, but fails to score a single goal, and ten years later, the team is destined to repeat their scoreless ways as more qualifying games approach. When soccer coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) is forced to coach this team, it is a group of eager yet undisciplined players in search of their first goal. Rongen must adjust to a totally new culture and way of life as he battles inner demons and a failed marriage to try to instill in these players the will to succeed with only four weeks until the games.
This story has been done previously in other clichéd sports films like the superior Hoosiers. Here we have a disparate band of misfits who strive to coalesce as a team against overwhelming odds. There is acceptance and self-sacrifice as it presents some interesting subplots and characters that are touched upon but unfortunately never fully developed including Rongen’s background and his relationship with a transgendered player. There are a number of inside jokes referencing other movies like Any Given Sunday, and while the film doesn’t ever take itself too seriously, it does lean into the heart of Samoan culture. Fassbender’s character is clearly the focus here with his self-discovery and learning to move on with his life especially during a touching, revealing moment at the pivotal climax.
With
an amusing post credit scene, this is one of those feel good, independent films
that could have been more but will
satisfy most audiences.
***
1/2 of ***** stars (for Waititi fans)
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