Eddie The Eagle

If you’re looking for an intellectual and in-depth look into the world of Olympic sport, you’ve found the wrong film. If you’re looking for a highly accurate depiction of the life of the real Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, you’re not likely to find that here either. But if you don’t smile at least once during this film, you’re made of stone.

Eddie The Eagle follows the (highly fictionalised) true story of a young man named Eddie Edwards (played by Taron Egerton of Kingsmen fame) who has had dreams of becoming an Olympian since he was a child, however lacks any real athletic ability or talent, and has no idea which event he wants to compete in. After trying and failing repeatedly to impress British Olympic Association representatives and meeting stonewall after stonewall, in steps Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman), an ex-olympic ski jumper that fell from grace. After much pestering by Eddie, he agrees to coach him (partly in order to save his life) and the pair form an unlikely bond.

The positives: The story is fun and entertaining and definitely has its ‘awww’ moments interspersed with moments of surprising sincerity, where we’re reminded that heart is an important part of being human. The film appeals to a wide audience as this story really could be about anyone, and all of us have been in Eddie's shoes at least once before: the important part is getting back up after a fall and trying again. Eddie’s unfailing optimism that he will succeed makes us care about him, a testament to Edgerton’s acting. Hugh Jackman’s performance as the hardy but somewhat unhinged coach plays well with the slightly off kilter Eddie, and their relationship tends to create much of the comedy in the film alongside the obvious jabs at English sport. Jo Hartley’s performance as Eddie’s mother was also a surprising standout.

The negatives: Although the story is a fun ride, it misses a lot of the charm of an original quirky film and does appeal more towards those who love the formula-style in their movies: there isn’t much in terms of ingenuity or innovation, just a straightforward narrative. Although it’s not necessarily a deal breaker, what you see is essentially what you get, which will be a disappointment for some people if you were looking for that indie film vibe.

Overall, the film has its rough patches and certainly misses its beats here and there, but it hits its target audience and the message of the film is has its charm. Its nice to have a film that reminds us that you don’t always have to win to be a winner.