2023 Movie
Dir. Benjamin Hirsch · United Kingdom
A generally unremarkable sports documentary anchored by its main character's everyman charisma
Strictly for football movie completionists and fans of the title athlete, That Peter Crouch Film is about as basic a sports documentary as they come, with a straightforward mix of talking heads interviews and archival footage. There’s not much to be learned about the sport and its inner workings here, even for a football newbie, and one could argue that Crouch’s story doesn’t necessarily have the drama needed for a film of his own. Still, it’s refreshing to have somebody as unassuming as Crouch at the center; even he doesn’t seem convinced that his story is special, but his humility and sense of humor make it easy to root for him. It’d be hard to blame any footballer for taking an opportunity like this to become sentimental about their own career, but Crouch treats his success simply as a product of hard work and a bit of luck.
That Peter Crouch Film is the true story behind football's most unlikely hero. Belittled for his height and shunted from club to club, all logic suggests that he should not have had a successful career. The film explores the long, arduous journey to reach the top - filled with twists, stumbling blocks, self-doubt, and alienation. After nearly 25 years since signing his first professional contract, Peter Crouch has only one question to ask himself... how did he get here?
A look back at the football career of Peter Crouch, notable for his remarkable height and for being one of a couple dozen players to score over 100 Premiere League goals.
As much as That Peter Crouch Film mostly works for how ordinary a guy Crouch actually is, there is one section of the documentary that could probably be expanded into its own work of dramatic fiction. For his first 18 games with Liverpool F.C., Crouch struggled to make a single goal, and once again experienced the club's fans turning on him viciously. It's the part of his career that best illustrates how so many athletes—especially those who aren't of the typical build or background—are only valued for their usefulness towards getting wins. That's a bitter reality that makes sense in the context of competition, but it can take a serious toll on the human being wearing the uniform.
Remember Tall Girl from Netflix? This is her dad. Show some respect.
Emil Hofileña is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. He also writes as a theater critic, with work published in Rogue and Out of Print, among others. He’s probably crying over a movie or an episode as we speak.
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