The Beautiful Game review: If you’re not interested in the movies playing on TV or the big releases like Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire or Godzilla x Kong during this long Easter weekend, Netflix offers a heartwarming family film with The Beautiful Game.
Inspired by real-life stories from the Homeless World Cup, a global tournament that’s been changing lives since 2003, The Beautiful Game delivers the classic underdog sports story you’ve been waiting for. It’s surprising it took this long for such a story to reach the screen.
Although the film incorporates elements of the Homeless World Cup, it tells a fictional story rather than focusing on any specific tournament. It follows the England team, led by the dedicated manager Mal (Bill Nighy), who sees a chance for victory with the addition of talented striker Vinny (Micheal Ward).
Even though Vinny is recruited to join the team in Rome, he struggles with feelings of alienation. He hides his homelessness and initially shows little interest in helping his teammates improve, despite his superior football skills (which are explained later in the movie).
While The Beautiful Game sets up a classic redemption story for Vinny, it often deviates from expectations. Vinny’s character is unlikeable for much of the film, but Micheal Ward’s engaging performance keeps viewers invested in his journey.
Other characters, such as Nathan (Callum Scott Howells), a recovering addict, and Aldar (Robin Nazari), a refugee, are not as deeply developed. The supporting cast relies on clichés, which detracts from the overall involvement in the story.
Heartfelt Triumph: The Beautiful Game Scores Big with Uplifting Story and Engaging Performances
The film’s attempt to showcase the global scope of the Homeless World Cup sometimes feels overambitious. A subplot involving the Japanese team adds a sweet but ultimately unnecessary message, while the South African team, led by Susan Wokoma’s amusing nun Protasia, is not well-developed.
Despite its flaws, The Beautiful Game carries a heartfelt message. Its triumph-over-adversity narrative and compelling performances will uplift viewers, even when the outcomes of the matches seem predictable.
The movie occasionally delves into darker themes like addiction and homelessness but never lets these issues overshadow its hopeful and joyful tone. It shines a light on an important but lesser-known event, making it a perfect, uplifting choice for this Easter weekend.