Eddie The Eagle

By: John Delia

A fun little film called Eddie the Eagle opens today in theaters across the country and it’s a true story. Steeped with energy, determination and a will to succeed, the movie features very good performances, fine direction and wow cinematography. Touching and heartwarming, the audience will find themselves inspired by this dynamo of man who is determined to participate in the Olympics. The film gets comical showing the ambitious man becoming a dare devil even in the face of the impossible odds. The movie gives the feel much like the Jamaican bobsled team in Cool Runnings that competed the same year in Calgary.

Always a go getter, young Eddie Edwards tried his best to show his father that he could be someone someday. Not very athletic, although he never gave up trying in sports, Eddie has a dream of being in the Olympics. He even announces to his mother that he will compete in the ultimate contest one day. Older, Eddie (Taron Egerton) finds himself still a dreamer until one day when he notices that Britain doesn’t have a ski jumper for the Winter Olympics. In fact they have had only one ski jumper in their history compete in that sport in 1929 and never since. Having missed the mark as a downhill skier, he feels it’s his chance to get on the Olympic team headed for Calgary, Canada in 1988.

Not having the topography as other countries, Great Britain stuck to other winter sports. But, if he can improve himself by getting trained with former U.S. Olympic jumper Bronson Perry (Hugh Jackman), the British Olympic committee should not refuse him a chance to be on the team. With the handicap of having to wear glasses, overweight and lack of funds Eddie begins the climb to the impossible and a LOT of falling down on his butt.

Putting his all into the film director Dexter Fletcher takes on the project of putting together the life of this determined man trying to prove to his father that he can be recognized in sports. From Edward’s early failures in sports to the mountains in Calgary, Canada, Fletcher brings a delightful and inspirational film to the screen that has heart and courage written all over it. With the fine director of photography George Richmond’s (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation) cinematic leadership, the film plays out from the side streets of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire to the mountains of the 1988 Winter Games in Canada.

The acting by Taron Egerton as Eddie reminds me a lot of Simon Pegg in Run, Fatboy, Run, although a bit more energetic. His ability to go from serious to his comic side keeps the story entertaining and shows Egerton’s stellar talent. Turing on his compelling personality, he makes his character the center of attraction. It’s a difficult task, especially being opposite stars like Hugh Jackman, Jim Broadbent and Christopher Walken. Almost unrecognizable as Eddie (having put on several pounds and wearing thick eyeglasses) it’s hard to believe he’s the same guy who acted in the high profile films Legend (as Mad Teddy Smith) and Kingsman: The Secret Service (Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin).

Talking about Hugh Jackman, he plays Bronson Perry the coolest support character, yet never upstaging Egerton. He actually downplays his part so it will add emphasis Edgerton’s role. Jackman’s character takes on its importance in the second half of the film. A misfire at one of the previous Olympics, his character sees a lot of himself in Eddie and decides to become his coach. Although very wary of Eddie jumping the 70 meter, he becomes terrified when the jumper wants to take on the 90 meter. It’s an outrageous feat of daring, especially since Eddie never had the training that experienced jumpers receive starting at the age of six. The two have great chemistry together making the courageous film work.

Eddie the Eagle has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some suggestive material, partial nudity and smoking. It’s one of the better true story inspirational films that have come along in the past decade.

FINAL ANALYSIS: An emotional and inspirational film showing courage and determination. (B)