GOAL 2: LIVING THE DREAM
UK, 2007, 115 minutes, Colour.
Kuno Becker, Alessandro Nivola, Anna Friel, Stephen Dillane, Rutger Hauer, Frances Barber, David Beckham, Miriam Kolon, Kieren O’Brien?, Sean Pertwee, Nick Cammon, Elizabeth Pena, Zidane, Ronaldo.
Directed by Jaume Collette- Saure.
The original Goal was a film with some heart and even some charm as a British scout in Los Angeles discovered a talented football player and brought him to Newcastle where he made the team and fell in love with a local nurse.
Living the Dream is the subtitle for this sequel – but the dream is something of a nightmare and, despite the triumphs, especially in the UEFA cup, there is something of a sour tone in this picture of the celebrity life.
Santi (Kuno Becker) should be content in Newcastle (despite it always being shown as raining there), should be marrying Roz (Anna Friel) and getting on better with his agent (Stephen Dillane) and his mercurial friend Gavin Harris (Alessandro Nivola). That should be living the dream.
However, his agent gets Santi an interview with Real Madrid and off he goes (to Spain where it is always bright and sunny). Will he get a match? That depends on his training and the decisions of the coach (Rutger Hauer). Will Roz want to go to Spain like Victoria Beckham or will she find it too difficult?
Speaking of the Beckhams, David Beckham appears (very frequently) as himself which makes the film at times seem like a Beckham promotional exercise. Other players like Zidane and Thierry Henri do appear but it is Beckham who counts. There is a lot of actual football footage.
The trouble with the dream is that it can go to one’s head. Celebrities are pursued and caught in compromising positions. Fans are extremely demanding. (But, at least, Goal spares us shopaholic millionaire football wives and girlfriends.)
While Santi is trying to cope with all of this, some new elements appear from his back story, including discovering his mother (Elizabeth Pena) living in Madrid with a husband and son. This makes for some human interest beyond the football pitch.
And, just when it looks as though everything is going to be all right and Roz is glimpsed pregnant, the film stops. This is an interim episode and we will have to wait for Goal 3. But Goal 2 has somewhat dampened the original sense of enthusiasm and Goal 3 is not one of the most anticipated of trilogy endings.
1.The impact of the original? Its freshness? The origins of Santi’s career? Enthusiasm? Leading to the sequel? This film in itself? The business world of sport, professionalism? The title, Living the Dream? New goals? Not so fresh? Its leading to a third film, its place as an interim film? The singing of ‘Ave Maria’ during the credits?
2.The internationality of the film? Of football? Its popularity in the UK, in Spain? The players, the actual players of Real Madrid participating? The coaches? The fans?
3.The expectations of players, of their skills, expectations of the game? The commercialism and the high fees for players? Its effect on sport?
4.The contrast between the locations in the UK, Newcastle and the rain with Spain and the sunshine, the crowds? The musical score and songs?
5.The actual football footage, the players, the commentary, David Beckham and his prominence?
6.The scenes of football, the play, the fans and their moods, the players, the commentators?
7.The film to be continued, the set-up for the further action – leading to the World Cup?
8.Santi and his past? His friendship with Glenn, Glenn discovering him, bringing him to England? His relationship with Roz, love for her, the family? His friendship with Gavin Harris, the past clashes, friendship? Success? His grandmother in Los Angeles? His not knowing about his mother? Introducing his mother and Enrique and the new aspects of the story? The discussions about Real Madrid, his acceptance, the new coach, the managers, the members of the team?
9.The rags-to-riches story, players getting big heads, the effect on Roz, having to move to Spain, the house in Spain, the big car? Women following him? His sharing a room with Gavin? Roz’s visit and its failure? The contrast with Roz’s workplace, the words of the dying man and his comments? The phone calls from Spain, the photos in the magazine, the break-off? The final glimpse of Roz and her being pregnant?
10.Gavin Harris, his character, his extroversion, cheekiness, the interviews? His failure on the pitch, his changing success, getting the goals? The high lifestyle, sharing with Santi, the relationship with the girls?
11.Glenn, his help, the contract? Santi ringing him in the night when in trouble, Glenn having to let him go, so that he would take responsibility?
12.Rudi van der Merwe as the coach, his decisions, his disappointment in Santi, the injuries and dealing with them, the training, his talks, the red card in the opening match? Finally allowing him back?
13.Enrique, his brother, the television, seeing the photo, his talking with Santi, taking his car, the crash? In hospital, Santi visiting him? Going in ordinary clothes and getting out of the hotel, meeting his mother, with Enrique, the reconciliation, playing with the kids?
14.His mother, the explanation of her story, the attack by the uncle, her husband’s grief, her not being able to stay with the family, her disappearing, her marriage? Working in the bar? Enrique? Her love for her son? Going with Enrique to the match?
15.The UEFA Cup, the build-up? Gavin in the team? Santi wanting to play? The progress of the match? The ups and downs of the match, Real Madrid about to lose, Santi in the goals, the possibilities for success? The acclaim?
16.Themes of players and their advancement, becoming spoilt, affluent, losing their sense of responsibility? The challenge to Santi? A cautionary tale about his career?
