The Beautiful Game: A Different Kind of World Cup Goal

Mal (Bill Nighy, Living, About Time) is the manager of England’s homeless football team, taking his players to Rome with the hope of being crowned champions of the Homeless World Cup, a global street soccer tournament. At the last minute he decides to bring with them a talented striker Vinny (Micheal Ward, Empire of Light, The Book of Clarence), who could give them a real chance at winning, but only if he’s ready to let go of his past and become part of the team. Made with the support of the Homeless World Cup,The Beautiful Game is a film of second chances — where homeless teams from around the world find that all roads lead to Rome, and everything’s to play for.

REVIEW:

The Beautiful Game is an upbeat sports drama about the Homeless World Cup. Just like it sounds, the event features coed four player soccer squads composed of entirely homeless people from various countries.

The idea for The Beautful Game has been kicking around for close to two decades. Colin Farrell and Brendon Gleeson were originally attached to the project. When Netflix acquired the project, Bill Nighy and Michael Ward were signed as the leads.

The problems that caused each player’s homelessness get nice monologue moments but the film’s main focus is on the games and players themselves. It’s all about the uplift and not the sorrow, the fact this is a temporary situation and better things are to come. The Rome setting helps show them the beauty around them, inspires them to overcome their affliction and be better persons.

Bill Nighy plays the coach and former scout, Mal. The Beautiful Game offers Nighy a character perfect for his refrained acting style. He’s able to take his character beyond genre conventions.

The screenplay by Frank Cottrell Boyce, is adept at giving each character and moment its due. The director, Thea Sharrock keeps the schmaltz within its proper lane. The Beautiful Game always maintain the proper amiable tone and respect. It maintains an air of authenticity with its casting of previous homeless players in small key roles. Each have many funny and inspiring moments, that ring true. It hits the net and gets the goal.