Of course this is the movie that made the best use of Seven Nation Army.
What it's about
Talented football player Vinny, and the rest of the England team, have a life-changing performance at the Homeless World Cup.
The take
The Beautiful Game starts off with a hilarious, brilliantly written opening sequence that should have set the tone for the film. Then almost immediately, we're met with some shoddy writing, and in a strange way, that is what sets the tone for the film, instead. This film presents the story of the Homeless World Cup and how it empowers those who feel they have no direction, and so naturally we want to feel their triumph. But the film seems to want to cross over the jovial and wholesome line and deeper into the characters' struggles, and while some characters only need a glimpse of it, it generally comes across like a jarring lack of commitment. The film isn't carrying home any writing gold, but it's not really about winning, is it?
What stands out
The characterization of the Japan team is my favorite thing about this.
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