Film No. 15 (2016) Eddie The Eagle. February 23rd.

Film No. 15 (2016) February 23rd.  6.30 PM GREATER UNION Innaloo.

 

"At these Games, some competitors have won gold, some have broken records, and some of you have even soared like an eagle." (An extract from the closing speech at the games by Organizing committee president Mr Frank King).

 

 

The Calgary Winter Olympic of 1988 was famous for what purists might believe were the wrong reasons. I say that because purists might like to remember the record breakers of those games. A speed skater won 3 golds, can't think of his or her name and the flying Finn broke a record on the 70M jump, I'm not sure of his name either. I can tell you however about the Jamaican bobsled team and Eddie the Eagle Edwards who both gained infamy, not for winning medals, but for battling against the odds just to compete. 

 

Eddie the Eagle therefore gets the Disney treatment. It is light, cheery and we learn nothing about who Michael Edwards really was or is. It seems Edwards had options as to how he could have had his tale told. One of those options involved the sometimes acidic Steve Coogan in the title role. Edwards rejected the nastier version (his words) presented to him by Coogan. I'm thinking that if Coogan was involved then the comedy value to the film would certainly have had currency.

 

What we get instead is a very light treatment about a dorky kid who remained that way throughout as he followed his dream to represent his country at an Olympics. Edwards fulfills his dream because his ego is so much less inflated than his courage. In deciding that he would compete in the 70M and 90M ski jumps at a Winter Olympics  (while possessing none of the skills or background of the other competing international stars) he proves his intestinal fortitude. The ride we take with him is, at times, stomach churning and takes us as close as we get to Edwards.

 

The feats of Eddie were so inspirational at the 1988 Calgary Olympics that people worldwide paused to watch each of his jumps. He was mentioned along with the Jamaican bobsledders in the closing speech. Hugh Jackman, noted for the discerning role choices he makes, plays a fractured, fictional mentor who needs a cause. Hugh adds bite to a film which may just struggle to find an audience. I hope families flock to the screens because it makes a great discussion point for parents to talk with their kids about a time where professional sport was more about people as opposed to business. I'm ever the optimist. 7GUMS