Eddie the Eagle

Dir: Dexter Fletcher

2016

****

Eddie the Eagle is a celebration of something a bit special that is often forgotten, particularly in film. Personally, I was somewhat troubled by the Olympics when it came to my home town in 2012. The buzz was terrific but it all seemed to come at a price. It had both positive and negative effects on the City, particularly the area where the stadium was built. Winning soon became everything, I don't wish to knock anyone's achievements but people running fast while being sponsored by an unhealthy fast food company is the sort of thing that pushes all of my cynical buttons. Back in the 1988 Olympics Eddie the Eagle Edwards was originally told he couldn't compete because he wasn't a professional. Eddie's come back was that the Olympics isn't actually for professionals. I don't really buy the idea that it's the 'taking part that counts' either, that would make it even more of a waste of time but I didn't like how the nation's patriotism was taken advantage of and how it's all become about money. Money makes the world go round sure, but give me love over money any day of the week. *Steps down from his soapbox, takes a deep breath and continues...

 What I loved about Eddie the Eagle was his determination, his utter disregard for those that doubted him and his bountiful enthusiasm. People love a character and Eddie had plenty of character to give. I worried that the film would sweeten and schmaltz the true story but it really didn't. There are obvious changes but these make the film more universal but are not just aimed at attracting a larger audience (America). I can't help but credit Matthew Vaughn and Dexter Fletcher for keeping the film grounded, as it were, although adding child injury that wasn't quite accurate, deleting his sister and creating a couple of people out of thin air is a little troubling. His real name isn't even Eddie, but Michael Edwards has given the film his approval, so that's good enough for me, but I remember watching the 1988 Winter Olympics and they really do capture the feeling of the nation at the time. Personally, I think it was the last really great games. During the closing ceremony, Frank King, the president of the Olympic organizing committee payed tribute to Eddie by saying that "At these games, some competitors have won gold, some have broken records and some of you have even soared like an eagle". Eddie captured the essence of what is known as the 'Spirit of the Olympics' by competing to the best of his ability for the ability of his own sake, without sponsorship, regardless of his chances of winning. This is what the film is about and what is worth celebrating. However, two years later the International Olympic Committee changed the rules and decided that hopeful competitors had to compete in international events and be placed in the top 30% or in the top 50 competitors (whichever is fewer) if they were to become Olympic contenders. This essentially changed what the Olympic Games were all about. The final kick in the teeth came when they referred to this change as 'The Eddie the Eagle rule'. Along with the Jamaican bobsled team, Eddie won the 1988 Olympics by just taking part and being the best that he could be. It's why I boycotted the 2012 Olympics but went to the Paralympics instead, not because I'm a moralistic sod but because I believe it means more to overcome adversity which is closer to what was originally intended for the games. Like the man himself, the film has a lot of heart. I can see why Steve Coogan and Rupert Grint were originally sought for the part but I'm glad Taron Egerton was finally cast. He wouldn't have been my first choice of actor but that is exactly why I'm not a casting director. Hugh Jackman plays an amalgamation of two American coaches that Eddie had (John Viscome and Chuck Berghorn) but isn't really anything like either. His character and the character of his would be coach played by Christopher Walken are both fictional. I'm not sure either were totally necessary but it worked and didn't take anything away from Eddie's story. Supporting performances came from a variety of British comedy favourites including Keith Allen, Tim McInnerny, Mark Benton and Jim Broadbent, who each play intentionally exaggerated characters but in the best possible taste. Everyone likes a feel good movie, even me, the most miserable person you'll ever meet, but there is something uniquely special about Eddie the Eagle. The man and his story are real, when people talk of the best of British many think of Churchill, Shakespeare or the Queen. Not me though, I think of people like John Otway, Chris Sievey and Eddie Edwards, uniquely British and bloody marvellous.