Review of The Beautiful Game, directed by Thea Sharrock

As I slowly began finishing my master’s thesis and had nothing else to do in my free time, in the spring of 2024, I found myself returning to a trusted friend: Netflix. Whenever I was in need of something to do, I was opening up our family Netflix account on our television.

It didn’t help that I had just resigned from one of my regular gigs because of the fact I had received a Fulbright, and needed to move to India soon, which meant I had even more free time than usual. I’m usually pretty consistent with blog posts, but lately you’ll see I’m even more consistent than usual.

Anyways, I spotted The Beautiful Game the day it was added to my Netflix account. And although I thought it was cheesy from the title alone, I decided to watch it. There’s something about being really bored and watching corny movies that go hand in hand for me.

It really reminded me of the Korean movie Dream, which is about a Korean team going on to the homeless world cup. I find these movies touching, and fantastic in some ways when it comes to representation, so I’m glad I watched it.

Let’s get into the review!

A British team of homeless footballers struggle to make it through the Homeless World Cup in Italy.

We meet our first member of the homeless team immediately in the film, although he is not yet part of the team. His name is Vinny, and he’s watching young students pay football in a public field when a parent angrily starts yelling at him after he causes an interruption. Mal Bradley, who previously worked as a trainer, stops an altercation from occurring.

Mal starts telling him about how he is preparing a squad of men to bring to a football tournament in Rome, but Vinny doesn’t seem too keen on the idea. It does dawn on him that Mal is talking about the Homeless World Cup, but even after they get a meal together, he leaves and tells Mal he doesn’t qualify.

Mal follows him anyways, as he doesn’t believe Vinny, and discovers that Vinny has been living inside of his car. He realizes Vinny would not admit to his circumstances, so he just goes and leaves his phone number with him. We learn Vinny comes from a troubled life, despite the fact he once has a promising career with West Ham.

He visits his daughter Evie soon after, who asks him to come to one of her school assemblies. He tells his ex that he won’t be able to make it, as he will be going to Italy. He then joins the team, and they head off to Italy.

The opening ceremony proves to him that this is an actual, global event, and then he goes into his room with the roommate he’s been assigned: Nathan. He learns quickly that Nathan is a heroin addict, then takes off and goes to sleep in a park. However, the next day, the team discovers their opponent South Africa is not their, and they are handed their first victory.

Right after we cut to the South Africa team, which has been held up in their airport. One of the team members is a refugee from Zimbabwe, and the officer will not let them through because he is not allowed to travel. The team’s leader, a nun, talks their way out of the situation, and they are able to eventually board a flight to Italy.

The England squad’s next match is a tough one against Portugal. Although they struggle against their opponent initially, Vinny is brought onto the field and helps them win. We then explore a B plot where the Japanese team, which is losing terribly in their own matches, is exploring Rome despite their losses. Their coach is tough on them because of this, but then softens when she realizes the joy it gives her team.

We also have another B plot where Jason, a member of the English team, inappropriately flirts with a female member of the USA team, who then reports him. He then has to apologize, but gives her a salmon instead. We learn later that she is a Dreamer, and she plays in hopes of eventually getting residency through being scouted.

The South African team arrives, and Vinny is convinced by their coach to have a match with them.This pisses off the English crew, and Vinny storms off after being blamed for it. They all eventually get over it, and they lose against South Africa the next day. When they beat Japan right after, they regain the points they needed, but Nathan has to leave due to his withdrawal.

England continues through the tournament, and we have another plot line where Albar refuses to play as a Kurd against the Italian team. Turns out their captain is a Turkmen Syrian, which means there’s a lot of bad blood. They, too, eventually make peace.

Vinny then has a moment when his daughter calls and says she presented to her school about the Homeless World Cup, which pisses him off. He storms off yet again, and during the match the next day, he arrives too late to play. The English team still beats the USA.

After that, Rosita, the USA member from before, is scouted. Vinny is brought onto the South African team, and helps them win the entire tournament. Mal tells Vinny he scouted him as a child, and Vinny decides to help the team next year and own up to his situation.

Overall Thoughts

This was a heart warming movie, although there is quite a bit of drama. I guess we needed some of that off of the field, as it helps move the plot along better than it would have if it were on the field.

That said, I think this is a solid movie. It’s not extremely entertaining, and I don’t think I’ll be returning to it in the years to come unless I have a specific reason, but I enjoyed the process of watching it and getting to the conclusion.

I also would have completely watched this as a Japanese drama about a homeless team just having the chance to go around Italy and have the time of their lives. I loved that for them.

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