Here’s what we’ve all been waiting for, the biopic of the struggling British ski jumper from the 80’s, Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards!
The story, which is 95% fictionalised, according to Edwards himself, tells the story of Edwards from a child with unrealistic dreams of appearing in the Olympics, through his failed attempts to get on the downhill skiing team, to his moment of ‘triumph’ at Calgary in 1988.
The screenplay is credited to Sean Macaulay and Simon Kelton, but to be honest, it pretty much writes itself. Following the tried and tested British underdog formula it hits all the expected notes whilst skating round the facts. However, despite the predictability, it is enjoyable to watch largely thanks to a personable performance from Taron Egerton as Edwards and a sterling supporting cast, including Hugh Jackman, Jo Hartley, and Mark Benton.
The scenes involving the British Olympics Committee’s attempts to stop Edwards competing are the most interesting, and, perhaps not coincidentally, form the part of the story that is closest to the truth.
I could have done with Jim Broadbent’s appearance as a commentator, a trope that has been done to death in competition movies since Best in Show, and Christopher Walken feels totally out-of-place in his very small role.
But, it is hard not to have fun with the film that breezes agreeably through its 106 minute run time.
Rating: 6 out of 10