Eddie the Eagle

Rarely can the Olympic mantra of Baron Pierre de Coubertin have been better exemplified than by this ski jumper. Now us Brits have a tough enough time at the Winter Olympic Games at the best of times, so the fact that this slightly geeky, bespectacled, young man alighted on ski jumping is even more bizarre. You'd have had to side with his somewhat sceptical dad (Keith Allen). He's not to be deterred, though, and so he heads somewhere snowy (Garmisch) and luckily befriends a local hotel owner who lets him work his passage, so to speak. By his own admission, he's pretty hopeless - barely managing to stay erect after a jump of little more than 30m, but a chance encounter with Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman) provides the most unlikely of conduits to his improvement and eventual qualification for the Olympiad in Calgary in 1988. I remember the huge spike of interest in his death-defying efforts as the legendary Matti Nykänen (Edvin Endre) regularly and consistently jumped twice his distance but yet Eddie still persevered. It was very much a case of the taking part not the winning and Taron Egerton really does imbue his character with a determination, tempered with just a little eccentricity, that delivers a comedic drama that I think is peculiarly British. The unimpressed suits at the BOA are perfectly summed up by Mark Benton, there's the vaguest hint of romance and a scene in a sauna that could probably only be pulled off by Rune Temte. Like the man himself, it's a little slow off the mark, but once it gets going it's one enjoyably paced and humorously written tale of a man who did manage to capture the heart of a nation despite the fact that a medal was never, ever, on the cards.

> Keep dreaming brings nothing, need to go out and try to make it happen! The posters, teasers did not impress me at all. The thought the film going to be a flop. Surprisingly the film was much better than I anticipation. This is a biographical-sport film and very inspiring. The story of a British boy in the early 70s who dreamt to be an Olympian, but the problem is he has not found his sports. By the time in his 20s, he finally finds his interest and gives his best to make his long pending wish to come true. The remaining narration reveals his journey to the world's one of the big events where he aims to soar like an eagle. Hugh Jackman was not any terrific, he was awesome like usual, but in a supporting role. I think Taron Egerton will be the next British sensation. This film worth seeing for his phenomenal act. The real Eddie too appreciated that. The whole film revolved around these two characters and I think making it a comedy worked out so well. Nicely shot film in the beautiful places, especially those risky ski jump stunts were excellent and the direction was undoubtedly the best. This film is not particularly about the sport, it is about one showing his passion towards his undertaking. Eddie can be seen as a role model, no matter what he achieved, his fighting spirit is motivating. I think the youngsters should watch it, especially those who are after their dreams. Not just sport persons, but any field persons. I don't know about the repeat viewing, but watching once is enough for the confidence uplift. One of the must see film of the 2016. 8/10