Put me in coach. Jimmy (McKenzie) waits on the sidelines while his coach (Carlyle) watches from the van.
Jimmy (McKenzie) is a nerdy 15-year-old in Manchester, a Man City fan and the chief victim of the Man United-supporting school bully (Power). Jimmy's mother (McKee) has just taken up with a new boyfriend (Miller) who thinks he's far too cool, but this only makes Jimmy miss her previous boyfriend (Winstone) even more. In private Jimmy can do anything with a ball; but on the pitch his nerves take over and he falls apart. Then an old woman (Lapotaire) gives him a pair of tatty football boots that are supposedly magical ... and maybe they are. Because when Jimmy is forced to wear them for a school match, he suddenly overcomes his stage fright, much to the surprise of his coach (Carlyle).
As the entire story is told through Jimmy's eyes, the audience is taken along for a journey with the help of a funny, insightful script, some clever direction and a fine central performance from Mackenzie. But it's not just Jimmy who's bullied here--virtually every character has been shattered in some way, and each must rediscover their self-confidence before the film ends. The fragility of the characters is real; we feel it! And yet the film unabashedly keeps hopes high that the characters will triumph in some way. OK, so it's a bit sweet and rough around the edges, but it wins us over with its hint of magical realism, a thumping pop score and lots of wry humour. And the football scenes are extremely well shot (the final goal is devastating!)--real heart-pumping stuff. And heart-warming too.
[themes, language] 1.Aug.00
UK release 25.Aug.00
