Goal! *** (2005, Kuno Becker, Alessandro Nivola, Anna Friel, Stephen Dillane, Tony Plana, Miriam Colon, Sean Pertwee) – Classic Movie Review 5025

Written by Mike Jefferies, Adrian Butchart, Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, director Danny Cannon’s soapy 2005 sports drama is total hokum but still shrewdly calculated and entertaining.

Looking like a cross between the young Antonio Banderas and Robbie Williams, Kuno Becker stars with charm, appeal and conviction as Santiago Munez, the Mexican likely lad who is spotted by a Newcastle United talent scout and comes to Newcastle to succeed at soccer.

Also in the cast are Alessandro Nivola, Anna Friel, Stephen Dillane, Tony Plana, Miriam Colon and Sean Pertwee. David Beckham proves he can speak and move at the same time in a pointless cameo as himself. Alan Shearer appears as himself both on and off the field.

It is also known as Goal! The Dream Begins.

Goal II and Goal III followed.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5025

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