Cast: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Jo Hartley
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Genre: biographic, sport
Duration: 105 minutes
Now showing: Cinema Magic Metroplex Mall Naalya and Century Cinemax Acacia Mall Kisementi
For some reason Eddie the Eagle made me think of Cool Runnings. A lot. It must be the fact that they both involved a snow sport. Or it could be because the odds seemed to be against the main actor in both movies. Whatever it is, Eddie the Eagle left me just as inspired as Cool Runnings did.
The movie follows the real life events that led Eddie Edwards aka The Eagle to the 1988 winter Olympics. Since he was nine years old, Eddie has dreamed of representing Britain in the Olympics. However, he doesn’t seem to be good at any of the Summer Olympics games. He then starts ski training for a shot at the winter Olympics. When he gets a lot of discouragement from several people, including his father, he goes to Germany for training. There he runs into Bronson Peary (Jackman), who begrudgingly trains him. The rest is a lot of antics you’ll have to see for yourself.
I’ve failed to pinpoint what makes this movie as good as it is. Egerton and Jackman’s good acting may be one of the highs.
Egerton especially puts up such an endearing performance that you cannot help but cheer him up. Even when you feel like he is setting himself out for failure. Jackman’s sour character on the other hand is there for those moments when the movie starts to feel like an over optimistic bumper sticker. Together, they bring a nice balance to what could have easily turned into a ridiculous movie.
Watch this for those moments when you’re feeling discouraged, if for nothing else. Or if you think you’re going too far in pursuing what seems like a hopeless dream. It’s based on real events after all.