The Beautiful Game: A Sports Drama That Falls Flat

I recently had the misfortune of watching The Beautiful Game, a Netflix original sports drama that left me underwhelmed. The film, directed by Thea Sharrock, tells the story of a grieving septuagenarian who trains a team of homeless men to compete in the Homeless World Cup.

The Beautiful Game’s premise is intriguing, but the execution falls flat.

The movie’s biggest problem is its predictable and uninspired storytelling. The plot unfolds like a sitcom, with characters that feel more like caricatures than real people. Bill Nighy, a talented actor, is wasted in a role that doesn’t give him much to work with.

Nighy’s performance is the only redeeming quality of the film.

The Beautiful Game is often compared to Jhund, another sports drama that explores similar themes. However, while Jhund was a nuanced and thought-provoking film, The Beautiful Game feels like a shallow imitation.

Jhund is a far superior film that explores the complexities of sports and social issues.

The Beautiful Game’s biggest crime is its lack of originality. The film’s themes and characters feel like they’ve been lifted straight from a British sitcom. The dialogue is cheesy, and the characters’ motivations are unclear.

The Beautiful Game’s tone is reminiscent of a British sitcom, but without the wit and charm.

In conclusion, The Beautiful Game is a disappointing sports drama that fails to deliver on its promising premise. With its predictable storytelling, shallow characters, and lack of originality, it’s a film that’s easily forgettable.

The Beautiful Game is a film that will be forgotten soon after the credits roll.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.