becker: the new beckham?
Hollywood has churned out countless rags-to-riches sports movies over the years, but the soccer-themed "Goal!" is one of the better ones.
This is an uplifting and heartfelt tale about a dreamer who gets his chance to realise it through hardship and determination. At the age of 10, Santiago Munez (Kuno Becker) crossed the border from Mexico to the United States illegally with only one thing on his mind: becoming a soccer star.
Ten years later, Santiago is playing with his local Los Angeles club when a scout, former British football star Glen Foy (Stephen Dillane) discovers him and offers him the chance to train for Newcastle United in the English Premier League - much to the chagrin of his father (Tony Plana).
Santiago discovers that the path to success is a bumpy road as he contends with life in a foreign land, difficult team-mates, physical set-backs, the temptations of fame and new love.
Directed by Danny Cannon (executive producer of TV's "CSI"), "Goal!" tells a simple, old-fashioned story but manages to sweep viewers up in the action.
Newcomer Becker is an absolute star, and much of the success of "Goal!" can be attributed to his electric screen presence. His line delivery is natural and his unknown celebrity status makes the character more convincing than if the filmmakers had cast a bigger name.
Producers Mike Jefferies and Matt Barrelle gained the support of FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) and were allowed to use real teams, real players and real locations to make "Goal!" as authentic an experience as possible.
Cannon's slick direction is backed by an energetic soundtrack, including tracks from Zero 7, UNKLE and The Happy Mondays.
If you want an entertaining story with a heart of gold that the whole family can enjoy, this is it. "Goal!" kicks the ball out of the park.
