Film Review: Goal! (Goal! The Dream Begins, 2005)

Association football, or "soccer" as it is commonly known in the United States, is indisputably the most popular sport globally. Surprisingly, its immense worldwide appeal has yet to translate into mainstream cinema success, particularly when it comes to major football-related films. The most ambitious attempt to date was the trilogy initiated with Goal!, a 2005 sports drama directed by Danny Cannon.

The protagonist is Santiago Muñez (played by Kuno Becker), a young Mexican who, along with his family, crossed the US-Mexico border illicitly and now works as a gardener alongside his father Hernan (played by Tony Plana) in Los Angeles. In his spare time, he plays football, which eventually catches the attention of Glen Foy (played by Stephen Dillane), a scout representing Newcastle United, an English Premier League club. Santiago scrimps and saves every penny to travel to England for the trial, ultimately earning a spot on the team despite numerous obstacles. His journey is not without challenges as he must work tirelessly to impress manager Erik Dornheim (played by Marcel Iureș) while contending with asthma and the temptations of the hard-partying lifestyle. However, he also forms friendships with teammate Gavin Harris (played by Alessandro Nivola) and begins a relationship with club nurse Roz Harmison (played by Anna Friel). Ultimately, Santiago gets his chance to prove himself on the pitch, helping his team secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League.

Goal! was an international co-production boasting a budget of around 33 million US dollars, making it the most ambitious and expensive football-related film at the time. The producers received assistance from FIFA, which sought to promote the sport, particularly in the lucrative but relatively untapped market of the United States ahead of the 2006 World Cup. Consequently, Santiago's background was made American, and FIFA helped the filmmakers obtain likenesses of real-life clubs and players for use in the film.

Danny Cannon, an English director known for his successful work in US television, helmed Goal! with enthusiasm, thrilled by the opportunity to pay homage to "the Beautiful Game." His efforts were bolstered by a strong cast led by Kuno Becker, one of Mexico's most popular actors at the time and adept at portraying romantic leads. Becker, who replaced Diego Luna originally slated for the role, delivered a robust and energetic performance. The supporting cast included notable talents such as Romanian actor Marcel Iureș, British actor Stephen Dillane, and charming Anna Friel in the role of Santiago's love interest.

Unfortunately, all these talents and resources were squandered on a script replete with clichés and an unnecessary yet predictable melodramatic tone that detracted from what could have been a straightforward story. As a result, Goal! is entertaining but comes across as artificial and unlikely to satisfy football fans who prefer their favourite sport in its pure form rather than a Hollywood-infused piece of fiction.

This predicament is reflected in the film's box office performance, as despite heavy promotion assisted by Adidas, Goal! failed to make a significant impact worldwide. Nevertheless, two sequels were produced: 2007's Goal II: Living the Dream directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and 2009's direct-to-DVD release Goal III: Taking on the World.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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