Review // Eddie the Eagle

[projekktor id=’23246′]

Much like the title character, Eddie the Eagle charms audiences in the feel good film of the winter. The film is loosely based on the trials and tribulations of an unlikely Olympic hero, Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards who, after not making the cut for the British downhill ski Olympic team, went on to become the first person to represent Britain in Olympic Ski-Jumping.

While a Jamaican bobsled team was making headlines across the world, another unlikely hero rose to fame Across the Pond at the‘88 Calgary Winter Games. Taron Egerton’s Eddie is a dreamer without respite who is determined (despite lack of funds or proper training) to be an Olympian. After devoting years and his family’s savings to his downhill skiing career he’s devastated when he’s told by the British Olympic Committee he isn’t Olympic material and cut from the squad. But instead of giving up on his lifelong dream, he decides to focus on entering the games in the only category the British don’t have a competitor – Ski Jumping. He quickly relocates from England to the Olympic ski-jumping training centre in Europe where he meets Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman), a hard drinking American maintenance worker. The fictional Peary is revealed to be a former Olympic ski-jumper who fell from grace when his drinking and bravado got in the way of his athletic career. Reluctant to coach Eddie at first, Bronson comes around when he sees how determined Eddie is. As he trains Eddie, their goal of reaching the Olympics becomes an intertwined underdog and redemption story. Although a weaker plot line, Bronson’s redemption still adds some weight to the otherwise formulaic underdog story.

The real Edwards inspired a nation despite not placing in the games because he was all heart – much like Egerton’s performance. Despite focusing on a caricature performance of the real Edwards, Egerton still charms as the bespectacled Olympic wannabe. It’s hard not to fall for his crooked grin and pure determination. Bronson is equal parts swagger and bile, and Jackman pulls off the performance with such ease it makes me question the actor’s true character. But the true standout in the cast is Jo Hartley who plays Eddie’s biggest fan, his mum Janette Edwards. Janette is constantly brushing off her nay-saying husband as she unconditionally supports her son’s impossible dream. Hartley is an absolute gem to watch; she’s expressive and hilarious, often stealing the scene from co-stars.

Eddie the Eagle is a white knuckle watch for those afraid of heights, with some truly inspired jump sequences. It might skimp on the facts but like its ’88 Olympic film counterpart, Cool Runnings (1993), this underdog sports story is a feel good film that’s fun to watch.

Reviewed by Vithiya Murugadas.