The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : A good entertainer for soccer lovers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 19, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

A good entertainer for soccer lovers

LOVE FOR FOOTBALL: Kuno Becker in Goal!

Goal! (English)

Director: Danny Cannon

Cast: Kuno Becker, Alessandro Nivola

RAGS TO riches, is a story that often does not happen in football. But when it does happen, it makes even a fairytale appear jaded. Goal! is one such story.

It follows Santiago Munez's (Kuno Becker) rise from a Los Angeles slum to playing for one of the biggest football clubs in England.

The story begins when Munez's father along with his family enters America illegally in search of the "American Dream."

Ten years on, the "dream" is shovelling garbage, mowing lawns and not getting caught by immigration authorities. But Munez, in spite of being forced to contribute to his family at a young age, is not able to shake off his love for football. Not even able to afford shin guards, he improvises with cardboard waste to play for a local club.

This is when a former football player and talent scout from England, Glen Foy (Stephen Dillane), spots him.

Convinced that Munez is a talent worthy of a bigger stage, Glen Foy asks him to travel to England for trial with football club Newcastle United.

Munez travels to Newcastle with the money his grandmother lent him from her savings. But he lands in a foreign country where everything from the weather to the people is alien.

Munez's struggle in England is typical of any foreign footballer trying to settle in a new country and make it big. He is forced to endure everything from racist to physical abuse. The film has been made with cooperation from the world football governing body, FIFA.

That has allowed the director to use a few real players, clubs and matches in the movie. David Beckham, Raul and Zinedine Zidane even make cameo appearances.

Special mention must be made of Alessandro Nivola's performance as Munez's strike partner, Gavin Harris. A talented forward, Harris has been led astray by the highlife that big money buys, and he tries to lure Munez to his off-field lifestyle.

Though dealing with some serious issues, the film avoids becoming a documentary. Watching it one truly believes that football is religion in England.

The passion of English fans, especially that of Newcastle, known as the Toon Army, is wonderfully portrayed.

Though not for a mass audience, Goal! is a good entertainer and a must for those following English and European football.

Anand Sankar

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