Bill Nighy is a bankable star that brings his A game to every film. I was surprised to come across "The Beautiful Game" (2024) recently released on Netflix without any fanfare or tipoff. Nighy plays Mal, a worldly wise coach to a motley crew of soccer players competing in an international tournament in Rome. This team is composed of homeless men, each with their own story of woe, that come together under Mal's benevolent mentoring. To kick this movie to the ground would seem harsh. Based on a true underdog story, this well intentioned movie delivers on warmth and fellowship. Unfortunately, the cliches and predictable storylines maneuver in a relentless, rapid fire rate. What should have been admired becomes mired in a malaise of treacly cliches. Instead of being an uplifting or entertaining movie about sportsmanship it runs incredulous and shallow. The smattering of delightful characters and scenarios might have resounded harmoniously had they been given space to breathe. Susan Wokoma is delightful as the nun who manages the S. African team and works miracles with her unflappable charm. The Japanese team of down on your luck misfits with an overzealous young coach are ingratiating as they explore and savor the many splendors of Rome's. The Japanese players teach the coach a lesson in humility and gratitude. Bill Nighy is wonderful as always but given too much heavy lifting and simply too good to be true with his limitless fountain of wisdom and patience. THE BEAUTIFUL GAME goes into overtime with an overload of forged fellowships that cloud the film forfeiting a winning outcome. A flagrant foul is the homeless situation of the players that is shamefully glossed over. My pithy coaching to have assisted the movie to score is LESS IS MORE I'm red flagging this film for reducing a redemption story to a checklist of platitudes.
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