I went to see Adam Riches in Coach Coach at the Soho Theatre the other week and I thought that managed to squeeze in every sports movie cliche in the book. But then last night I saw Eddie the Eagle and I think Riches might have been trumped. This film has it all, from alcoholic coach seeking redemption to working class hero going for gold. The only thing it doesn’t have is working class hero winning gold. But as the film’s pay-off says, winning isn’t everything, doing your best is. Notch that up as another tick in the cliche column.
Having said that, however, Eddie The Eagle - “based on a true story”, though I’d say very loosely based – is very funny. Some of the biggest laughs are pre-opening credits when we see young Eddie attempting various sports and instead accumulating a growing collection of broken spectacles. This knockabout humour sets the scene for some much more painful falls when the adult Eddie attempts to qualify for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
The film is pretty much played for broad laughs throughout, with Taron Egerton (very different to how he appeared in the Kingsman, in which he saved the world and got to do a princess up the bum as a reward) neatly capturing both the awkwardness and underdog determination of Edwards. Hugh Jackman as his fictional coach doesn’t have to do much but drink from a hip flask, offer wise advice and look good in various T-shirts for the American market. There’s also an unexpected cameo from Christopher Walken who behaves as if he has walked – walkened? – in from another movie.
Beyond the humour and the knowing references to Billy Elliot and Cool Runnings there’s also a nice political undertow to the film. Edwards seemed to be quite a decent skier but was not considered for the main downhill team because he didn’t go to the right school. I don’t know how true this is, but Tim McInnerny – looking strangely like Paul Merton in his lank wig – does a good job as the British Olympic Committee villain who is determined to sideline Edwards.
In the end though it is the rest of the British team that gets sidelined as Edwards becomes the hero despite coming last. They are ignored as he plays to packed press conferences. Eddie The Eagle is a bit stupidly sentimental at times, but then there’s a law that films like this have to leave you with a lump in your throat. I’ve just checked and that’s definitely on the list of sports movie cliches.
