Doesn’t it feel like every time we see a sports film based on ordinary people doing extraordinary things, we embody their spirit and tenacity? Yet, as an audience, we didn’t do a damn thing. That’s the beauty of it though. They are history lessons made to embolden us. Dreams do come true. Just ask Eddie The Eagle.
Taron Egerton (Kingsman: The Secret Service) plays Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, an unlikely but dauntless young man who has been doubted ever since he was a kid. Fitting in has continually been a problem for him. Notwithstanding, his focus has never shifted. The Olympics is where he wants to be and the Winter Olympics seems to be his best shot. When the opulent snobs of the British Olympic ski team attempt to crush Edwards’ dream of being a part of the 1988 games, he discovers Britain has not had a ski jumper since the 1920’s. All he has to do is land one jump in competition and he’s back in. He’s not going down without a fight.
At a top-tier training school in Germany, he meets an alcoholic plow driver named Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman). The type of guy who wears a t-shirt during harsh winters while wearing his only jacket—liquor. At first, Peary is just like the rest of them when it comes to believing in Eddie, meaning he doesn’t and thinks he’ll end up breaking his neck. Nothing Eddie has not heard before. Then he finds out Peary is a former US ski champ who squandered away his promising career.
Sounds like a comeback story with a couple of rebellious spirits in search of redemption and needing approbation to me. Determination and appetency eventually sway Peary, and the rest is history. Egerton and Jackman are splendid as athletes who rally to take on the impossible and ache to attain it. They are also men who strive to prove people wrong, leaving skeptics speechless. And if you’re like me and have not a damn clue who Eddie is until now, prepare to be enlightened and fascinated on an insuperable trek.
As far as capturing true crowd-pleasing moments and letting the 1980’s fashion and tunes illuminate the screen, director Dexter Flexter is a wiz. Now, he doesn’t venture out and try to swerve away from conventional storytelling. It’s practically a requirement to remember novelty is not the driving force behind Eddie The Eagle. The resolve and triumph easily take over all emotions. Even with a slavish approach and familiarity, stop the resisting and start cheering would ya?!
Brandon Vick is the resident film critic of the SoBros Network. Follow him on Twitter@SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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