Film: The Beautiful Game

After the last one, thankfully a wonderfully feel-good film during which I routed for everyone.

Based on the real-life homeless World Cup where 4-a-side football teams play short 14-minute games and compete to be the best in the world. And to enjoy the experience, meet new people and anticipate opportunities.

Bill Nighy plays the manager. The key story is about the surprisingly good player who accidentally joins a practice game and then gets picked to join them for the tournament in Rome (which I note, has never hosted the tournament in reality).

Each team member comes with their issues, as does the new man, Vinny (Micheal Ward, from Empire of Light). While I imagine, no-one thinks they belong on the streets, Vinny clearly thinks this more than the others.

While everyone else is enjoying the hotel lifestyle, he disappears to sleep on a park bench, to distance himself. The irony is not lost in that he is the only one who insists he is not, in fact, homeless.

While we learn why that is, we see another team member falling for one of the female US team. Another member has a mum who cannot cope with his addictions.

I love the humour, the ambition and most of all the heart.

The nun leading her nation’s team is a standout, as is the solvable conflict between Japan and their manager.

Although I knew the Homeless World Cup existed, I knew little about it. So I’m now seeking more info, which their website only delivers in part. A follow-up documentary would be good.

7½/10

Netflix