“IT’S A KICK IN THE GRASS”
Starring: Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent, Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, Henry Goodman
Directed by: Tom Hooper
MPAA Rating: R for language.
Genre: Art/Foreign, Adaptation, Biopic and Sports
Release date: October 2009
By John Delia
A true story about soccer (Football to England) brings some very good entertainment to the screen. It’s called The Damned United and I liked the acting, cinematography and direction of this sports period piece. If you like your competition with some drama and action then The Damned United is your kick in the grass.
Set in 1960’s and 1970’s England the film tells the confrontational and darkly humorous true story of Brian Clough’s (Sheen) doomed 44-day tenure as manager of the reigning champions of English football Leeds United. Previously managed by his bitter rival Don Revie (Meaney), and on the back of their most successful period ever as a football club, Leeds was perceived by many to represent a new aggressive and ungentlemanly style of football. The principled yet flamboyant Clough, who had achieved astonishing success as manager of Derby County building teams in his honorable vision with trusty coach Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall), found the tactics distasteful. In a stroke of fate, Clough gets a chance for the Leeds job without Taylor by his side and with a changing room full of what in his mind were still Revie’s boys, leads to an unheralded examination of Clough’s belligerence and downfall over 44 days.
The soccer here is rough and tumbles with some very good action scenes. I especially liked the game that was muddy and rain soaked. Some of the shots are amazing and the excitement elevated. Here the cinematography is amazing showing the player contact and fights.
As for the drama, Michael Sheen puts on a show as the arrogant manager who was boisterous and demanding until his try at challenging his leadership puts him out of a job. Sheen has always put on a good show with his memorable roles in the films The Queen and Frost/Nixon. Here he continues to entertain by putting himself in the roles of real life persons.
Director Tom Hooper intersperses actual scenes of the soccer games that were managed by Clough and at the end during the credits shows you real footage of Clough, Revie and Taylor. In addition he tells what happened to the mighty men of English football that gave me a big surprise.
The film is rated R for rough language connected with adult sports, especially when it surrounds heated battles and demanding sports managers.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film for English football fans and sports lovers. (America 3.5 of 5 and Britain 4.5 of 5 Palm Trees)