Next Goal Wins (2023)

The inspiring story about the collaboration between Dutch-American football coach Thomas Rongen and the Samoa national team was already recorded in the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison. The prologue of this dramatized version of that story suggests that Taika Waititi mainly wants to turn it into a farce, but that turns out not to be so bad. Rongen comes from a culture of hard work and strict discipline, which clashes with the culture of Samoa, which is much more focused on spirituality and interconnectedness. The most important relationship is that between Rongen [Michael Fassbender] and transgender Jaiyah [Kaimana], who is seen and treated as an asset within their own culture, but who on the field is more concerned with her appearance than with her game. The relationship between Jaiyah and her coach is the heart of the film and Fassbender and Kaiman are especially impressive in the dramatic scenes. Like so many others before him, Waititi struggles with the football games themselves. Not bad, but the documentary is much better.

Translated from Dutch · View original

If Waititi appears in the first shot, you already know which direction the film is going. Not only light-hearted but also perhaps too focused on easy, silly humor. Trying to make a story that is already funny to tell and presented in a light-hearted manner even funnier doesn't work. Especially during the first hour, the film is sometimes very bland and corny and sometimes even annoying.

But in the second hour that tone is somewhat abandoned and the film becomes better and more fun. Then the characters all turn out to be quite endearing, the actors are clearly looking forward to it and this is simply enjoyable viewing that even causes a stir at the end. Furthermore, the pace is excellent and the story is fascinating to watch. 3.0*.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Of course you can make films about all kinds of subjects, but this film about the pitiful football team of American Samoa misses the mark as a comedy and as a sports drama. Bland with just a little too much schadenfreude for my taste.

Translated from Dutch · View original