The Damned United (2009)

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

History-based drama on the ambitious hijinx of high-minded but headstrong soccer manager Brian Clough and his ascent the top of his profession in the early 70s.

First sports movie I can remember that really explores the whole dynamic between fans, ownership, managers and players. It was also kind of funny, not cliche at all.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Just caught the movie, which in and of itself is well crafted. The performances-- especially Michael ("Frost/Nixon," Tony Blair in a shitload of things) Sheen as Clough, Colm Meaney as Leeds boss Don Ravie, and Timothy Spall as Clough's long-suffering Sancho Panza Peter Jordan-- are fantastic, and the lensing and editing are fantastic, really. (As well as the football scenes, which are tightly choreographed... and bonecrunching, when appropriate.)

But the script... man, it makes for a much less interesting story (if maybe a better, smoother screenplay narrative) than the real thing, y'know? That Spall gets what he can out of such a sparsely-written part-- it's ALL longing or mildly disappointed/disapproving looks-- is a minor miracle and testament to his talent.

I liked it. It's just... the book's got a lot going on in there, and reducing Clough to a wannabe Don Revie does the book-- and the life it represents, or claims to represent-- something of a disservice.

[Edgy MD]

The subject seems irrelevant enough, but is rendered large by the performances and other touches.

I've got say though, athletically, the Leeds players look like a bunch of sad sacks who couldn't beat my junior high team.

I went Stoke City. Ms. Edgy enjoyed it and Sheen's performance as the asshole at the center of the story. Maybe too much.

[Guest The Second Spitter]

Shit, didn't even know this movie existed.