Rank: 2.5
“Eddie the Eagle,” based on an inspiring true story about a young aspiring ski jumper, unfortunately, falls flat on several fronts.
The film follows Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards as he trains to enter the 1988 Winter Olympics as a ski jumper.“Eddie the Eagle” is being sold primarily as a “feel good film,” and it plays all of its scenes that way. However, that doesn’t mean it’s done well.
This is in no way a bad film, but it is not original in the slightest. When it comes to sports and “outsider” movies like this, there really is no need for “re-inventing the wheel.” But with “Eddie the Eagle,” you can figure out what is going to happen from the first fade up to the final freeze frame.
All of the actors do a good job, even though they are playing roles just a few notches below “hammy.” For instance, Hugh Jackman plays his American “bad boy” character as close to caricature as possible.
The film as a whole follows suit with its cheesy delivery. Everything is overstated, which easily begs the question, How much of what we are seeing actually happened this way?
Main moments are played so largely that it feels like the film is trying to make us fall out of our seats with laughter or be sobbing by the end of each scene.
This being said, the movie still manages to execute; but fails to maintain a lasting impression.
Edwards’ story is an inspiring one of the little man overcoming a behemoth trying to repress him and his dreams.
There are moments in the film where viewers will be shocked or holding his or her breath in the hopes that Edwards will make the landing. These are the best moments of the film because they feel realistic.
Unfortunately, the film wants you to feel that way throughout its entirety, which gets rather exhausting.
“Eddie the Eagle” is an enjoyable watch but, once it has ended, you realize how much the film falls short.