Here's the deal. The American Samoan football/soccer team was the worst in the world. In 2001 a record was set. For the worst defeat in an international football match. When Australia beat them 31-0.
This movie is set about 10 years after that, the Samoan team was still essentially non-competitive. Their bar wasn't set very high, they wanted to score one goal. If they could score one goal their program would be a success.
Along comes Michael Fassbender as temperamental soccer star Thomas Rongen, now retired and coaching. He was given a make or break chance, go to American Samoa, the small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, and turn the team around. Get them good enough to score a goal.
Now I admit that does not sound much like a scenario for a good, entertaining movie. But it actually is, in the hands of Taika Waititi who co-wrote the script, directed, and has the role of an American Samoan Priest. Yes, there is a lot of focus on soccer, and building a team. There is also a lot of focus on what happiness is, and how there is much more to life than a sport.
It was filmed in Hawaii, the actors are good, and the whole movie is entertaining.
At home, on DVD from my public library. There are no 'extras' but the end credits include some brief clips of the real people.
This movie is set about 10 years after that, the Samoan team was still essentially non-competitive. Their bar wasn't set very high, they wanted to score one goal. If they could score one goal their program would be a success.
Along comes Michael Fassbender as temperamental soccer star Thomas Rongen, now retired and coaching. He was given a make or break chance, go to American Samoa, the small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, and turn the team around. Get them good enough to score a goal.
Now I admit that does not sound much like a scenario for a good, entertaining movie. But it actually is, in the hands of Taika Waititi who co-wrote the script, directed, and has the role of an American Samoan Priest. Yes, there is a lot of focus on soccer, and building a team. There is also a lot of focus on what happiness is, and how there is much more to life than a sport.
It was filmed in Hawaii, the actors are good, and the whole movie is entertaining.
At home, on DVD from my public library. There are no 'extras' but the end credits include some brief clips of the real people.