Eddie the Eagle

The famous Calgary Olympics did not only have the Jamaican bobsledders, but also – of course – the English ski jumper Eddie Eagle Edwards. And just like the Jamaican bobsledders, he was able to draw all the attention to himself and this movie is about that. I liked the way this movie tells Eddie’s story with absolutely no embellishments. Eddie is introduced as a sort of a silly dreamer who wants to get to the Olympics, so he learns to ski jump in a year and somehow qualifies for the Olympics. In a single year. He must have really embarrassed all the professional ski jumpers who have been training since they were 6 years old; he truly did, in all his splendor. And the amazing drunkard Hugh Jackman has helped him so well that I had the feeling like I was watching Cool Runnings for the first time. That’s also why the Jamaican flag was mentioned in one of the scenes, because the most important thing isn’t really winning, but taking part. And even though the athletes have it complicated, the flying Finn said it very nicely at the end of the movie. (07/11/2016)

Sure, some of the characters are incredibly clichéd, even though well-acted - this applies, for example, to Hugh Jackman's character, who has such charisma that he still manages to captivate you. However, the film is filled with such positive energy that you don't care about any flaws because you absorb that energy too, and you'll be pleasantly uplifted, touched, and glad that you've seen the film. (30/05/2016)

A movie that gives you wings. A blend of a boilerplate autobiographical tale of a journey towards a dream and the most sincere, unconcealed love and admiration for the title character and the sport itself, presented in a comedy of life, the kind that the crowded film competition doesn’t produce every year. It's an unpretentious story, but its formal art, valuably distant from dull idealization and its beautiful happy ending caress the soul more than most. Jackman is cool, Egerton is awesome. 85% (21/04/2016)

A heart-warmer and feelgood movie. Eddie is one stubborn mule who wins over the viewer. Egerton is marvelous, somewhere on the edge between reality and a nice version for the masses, and Jackman’s role is fits him like a glove. The jump with the cigarette was brilliant. Precise direction and a screenplay that sticks to reality, 80’s synth music, great atmosphere and Garmisch-Partenkirchen... I wondered at the jumping ramps as a kid. (01/05/2016)

The film could hardly surprise me as I had watched Eddie Edwards at the Calgary Olympics, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a great film about a great man. I remember watching his efforts at the Olympics on TV. I couldn't help laughing. Interestingly, I didn't laugh at Eddie, I laughed with Eddie and the film brought that feeling back. You just can't dislike the man; I think he did more for the sport than many a champion. I had fun and enjoyed some nostalgic memories. (13/07/2016)