Goal!  (2005)

This film tells the story of Santiago Munez (Kuno Becker), a Mexican, who at a young age illegally crossed the border with his family into America. For as long as he can remember, even when Santiago lived in Mexico, he had just one dream; to play football. He lives in Los Angeles and his father wants him to go into the family gardening business. The family are very poor and Santiago only gets menial jobs.

Playing for a local LA soccer team he is, by chance, one day, spotted by an ex-talent scout who arranges for him to have a trial at Newcastle United football club in England...

This film is the first part of a trilogy. It is yet another fairytale “rags to riches” story with professional football offering hope for success and a better life. Kuno Becker who plays Santiago is very good looking and will keep the ladies interested if football isn't your thing! When watching it, you feel nervous for Santiago when he has his football trials and you want him to do well. Credible football footage with bruising competitiveness help create the atmosphere of the matches. The mood of the supporters is also well captured and you could almost feel yourself standing up to cheer the players on. 

Although I very much enjoyed the film, there is a certain corniness to it. Perhaps it is a little far-fetched. There are also some clichéd characters. The unsupportive father with whom Santiago becomes estranged when he goes to Newcastle is a good example. Santiago's father believes that there are two types of people; the ones with the money and those that have to cut lawns and wash cars for a living. It is his loving grandmother who pays for Santiago's fare to England.

Anna Friel plays Santiago’s girlfriend and does a good Geordie accent. Stephen Dillane plays the has-been talent scout and plays a kind of father figure. I also enjoyed the performance of Marcel Iures who played the Newcastle manager.

To add authenticity some real football stars make an appearance including David Beckham, Zinédine Zidane, Raul and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer. These work very well but David Beckham's cameo with Santiago is a bit cheesy!

Lasting Thought: Don’t ever give up on your dreams.

Bottom Line: Far-fetched but enjoyable 'rags-to-riches' movie with a very effective football backdrop. If you enjoy Goal you might also enjoy Bend It Like Beckham.

Reviewed by Sharon Swift, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:

STEPHEN DILLANE: The Hours,  King Arthur.  ANNA FRIEL: Timeline.

Genre: Drama/Sports

Director: Danny Cannon

Certificate: Goal was rated PG by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. may be watched by unaccompanied children of any age but Parental Guidance is recommended. Violence = mild. Drugs = mild. Sex/Nudity = mild. Language = mild.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: GOAL!

~ Main Cast ~

Kuno Becker

Alessandro Nivola

Stephen Dillane

Marcel Lures

Anna Friel

Kieran O'Brien