If you enjoy stories about underdogs chasing after their dreams, no matter what, then you’ll love this movie! I must say that watching Eddie the Eagle at an advance screening was a very pleasant surprised. I actually didn’t know what to expect of it and I left the theater with a big smile on my face.

Based on real events, Eddie the Eagle follows the life of Eddie Edwards (Taron Egerton, amazing), who dreams of going to the Olympics since he was a child but completely lacked the ability for any sports. His problem with his left leg also didn’t help much, but he was able to recover from it and kept on dreaming until he decided to go to the Winter Olympics in Calgary, 1988, doing ski jumping (Great Britain didn’t have a ski jumping team, but that didn’t stop him from trying to be on it). After a few trials and falls, he eventually meets an unorthodox coach (Hugh Jackman), who reluctantly decides to help him.

He doesn’t have the support from anyone but his mother, he’s mocked by everyone else and is rejected by the British Olympic Committee, yet he doesn’t give up on his dream of being an Olympian. Described like that I know I’m giving the impression that it’s a drama, but surprisingly enough, it’s not! It’s a lovely comedy and credit is due to Taron Egerton’s great timing and performance. He transformed himself into Eddie and his naiveté seemed genuine.

I also loved the music score! It gave great passing to the film and we never feel that it is somehow slow or too long. We were clapping at more than one scene and cheering every time Eddie would climb up to jump.

Eddie the Eagle shows that is possible to make a film about someone struggling to get approval from everyone else without being annoying (something that Joy wasn’t able to achieve, in my opinion). Just go see it and I’m sure you’ll be cheering for Eddie too!

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Review: Testament of Youth (2015) Review: Joy (2015) Oscars 2016: Best Picture Nominees Review: Room (2015)

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