When discussing which iconic Brits to bring to the big screen, it's unlikely that one Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards would come up very high on the list of most necessary. While his journey to becoming a Great Britain team member during he 1980s Winter Olympics is certainly which could be considered inspiring – especially after the 2012 London Olympics provided elevated levels of patriotism and support for being athletic – it's known that the Gloucestershire-born ski jumper ultimately failed to get the gold, and following his misstep failed to make it to subsequent games. However, he is still a well-known figure to the majority of Britons, so a film isn’t entirely out the question. A film starring Kingsman's Taron Egerton? Still not far-out. British director Matthew Vaughn producing? Again, normal, especially with the director Dexter Fletcher being known only for his work on Sunshine on Leith (the musical based around songs by The Proclaimers) and Wild Bill. Also co-starring X-Men star Hugh Jackman and the incredibly diverse Christopher Walken? Well, things certainly got interesting...
Ever since he was a young lad, young Eddie Edwards has always wanted to be an Olympian, and consistently attempts to break his own personal records in the hopes that it'd be the jumping point for a career as an athlete. Unfortunately it seems he isn't suitable for this aspiration though, with his father (Keith Allen) constantly encouraging him to instead take up the plastering trade – where during a practice run leads Edwards to a new way of gaining Olympic glory: the Winter Olympics. And by the time we join the now-adult Eddie (Egerton), he's a potential ear-mark for skiing before being booted off by the British Olympic officials for ill-given reasons. Gutted, he considers giving up on his dream, but is drawn to the possibility of becoming a ski jumper – an aspect of the competition which no Brit has entered in numerous decades. And so, taking off to Germany begins his training, and over time wins over the friendship of ski-slope bar owner Petra (Iris Berben) and drunken snow-groomer Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman) - a former ski jumper himself who was booted off for his delinquent behaviour – Eddie must prove the naysayers wrong and make his way to the upcoming Winter Olympics; no matter how badly he might do...
The underdog story is a common approach in movies which more often than not follows a very predictable and therefore boring formula, and as such doesn't usually warrant an awful lot of praise nor recognition. However, despite its very basic feel, Eddie the Eagle does house some entertainment value to the overdone blueprint. It's certainly not unpredictable nor are there any real surprises, but it has a certain charm to it which makes it feel resilient any of the usual complaints that these kinds of films receive. It's a mostly harmless biopic which just so happens to have a lot of fictionalisation done to it, which in turn adds a great sense of appeal to it because of how simple and yet how entertaining it is to watch. You may know and anticipate the story quite easily, but with each emotional beat and intended moment of comedy you get involved in it. You laugh with the jokes; you react to the painful failing runs on the slopes; you hope that Edwards makes each jump. And that makes a good story – one in which the audience can get invested in despite how obvious it may be.
Taron Egerton may have only begun gracing the silver screen in early 2015, but his prominence in future releases is an interesting sight. With his only success so far really being for Kingsman and a minor role in Tom Hardy film Legend - not to mention a role in Testament of Youth - he's since been grabbed for sequels, Robin Hood adaptations, and even a potential young Han Solo in the upcoming Star Wars spin-off. But in this, possibly his final small-scale role for a few years, is certainly a memorable performance. Not because it ventures out compared to his contemporaries, but because of how into the character he is. Believe it or not, he does strike a surprising resemblance to the real Eagle, and perhaps because of that he blends in a whole lot more with his surroundings and makes him appear to be Eddie. Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman may not be venturing deep into his performance, but he does get a good bulk of great dialogue and some good laughs despite his character's very one-note archetype. Christopher Walken has a very minimal role overall, and may have been overhyped by the publicity, but at least he isn't phoning it in. Maybe a simple pay check job, but it isn't a painful one. Parents Keith Allen and Jo Hartley are likeable enough in their own ways, with Allen getting more of a focus considering how his main purpose is to discourage his son from doing sport whilst Hartley is the emotional baggage who pushes Eddie to live his dream. There's also supporting performances from Berben, Mark Benton, Tim McInnerny and even Jim Broadbent, but none really leave a lasting impact – with Benton and McInnerny's Olympic officials being there practically for the 'villainous' roles of also discouraging the aspiring Olympian.
In terms of the aesthetical feel to it, that is where the film falls a little flat. The jumping sequences are, naturally, done through green screens and CGI, and it stands out far too much to be taken seriously. One key example of this is where Jackman proves his prowess as a former jumper – the design of the shot may have intended to come across as magical, but in actuality just looked a bit shoddy. And when you consider that 10 Cloverfield Lane did better on a smaller budget in that field, it makes it look even more ridiculous. But at least the direction from Dexter Fletcher is finely done, and the cavalcade of 80s pop tracks adds an extra layer of fun/cheese to the mix.
Eddie the Eagle may be a highly fictional rendition of the claim to fame made by the loveable loser that was Eddie Edwards, but it is still an entertaining one with plenty of fun to be had for viewers of all ages. It doesn't branch out into any new territory nor does it have the strongest batch of performances, but it's more of a very simple Sunday viewing which'll leave you laughing just enough to enjoy it. 7/10.
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