Next Goal Wins Movie Review
Nathan Swank
November 15th, 2023
Based on a true story, NEXT GOAL WINS follows the dreadful American Samoa soccer team, made famous by their historical 2001 FIFA match where they lost 31-0. The film picks up with their World Cup qualifying attempt in 2010. They hire down-on-his-luck soccer coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender). Fired multiple times due to anger issues, depressed and surly coach Thomas must learn to adapt to a different culture and train this ragtag group of players, hopefully learning a little love, acceptance, and happiness along the way.
Oh man! I hate it when I really like the premise and the messaging of a film, but it’s all poorly executed. NEXT GOAL WINS really puts me in a conundrum of not wanting to bash on a sweet, kind-spirited film, despite it simply not being very good.
I have been a fan of director Taika Waititi for quite some time (WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE, THOR RAGNAROK, JOJO RABBIT, and even, and I know I’m alone in this, THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER). But NEXT GOAL WINS is his first real miss for me. The tone never seems right as the film bounces around in some drama, comedy, and super silly. I don’t mind any of these choices. In fact, I might even prefer the absurdity of the idea. But many of the jokes just don’t land because they are too simple and lazy. Perhaps if the film would have tried for a PG rating, it might be acceptable for families with children allowing some grace for the softball hokey humor. But the slight inappropriateness goes just far enough to not even allow that, which begs the question: who is this movie for?
I think the true weakness comes through when compared to any other feel good sports movie. Other historical sports dramas like MIRACLE or REMEMBER THE TITANS have more feel good moments with impactful resonance. But that’s not a fair comparison. Kid’s movies like SANDLOT or LITTLE GIANTS are more effectively playful. But again, the filmmakers chose not to make a kids movie. I think NEXT GOAL WINS is far more comparable to the more absurd comedies like 1991’s NECESSARY ROUGHNESS or 2000’s THE REPLACEMENTS. These are by no means great movies but they still have a bit more comedic and entertainment value and they came out 20 and 30 years ago respectively.
The true tragedy is the idea that three seasons of Ted Lasso exist as a perfect blueprint in the modern era that is not for kids, but teaches positivity and kindness with tons of laugh out loud humor with incredibly more effectiveness. I would recommend any of these or even the recently released Netflix film, NYAD, following the true story of the 62-year old woman swimming from Cuba to Florida. I recognize that all these films are different genres and have different purposes in entertainment. But all of them achieve inspiration though the human spirit, humor, and hardship more effectively.
I really wanted to like NEXT GOAL WINS. I’m a volunteer soccer coach for my kid’s soccer team and the film has surprising little soccer or inspiring arcs within the film to get behind. Don’t get me wrong, characters learn and change, but it’s more abrupt without much emotion or reason, like they are just checking off generic needs in a lifetime movie formula.
To be fair, there are a handful of laugh-out-loud scenes and funny ideas. And there are a couple of moments toward the end that truly land with positive messaging about far more important things in life than sports. Keeping my own focus on the positive is why I can’t fault the film entirely. I appreciate the messaging and sweetness of the characters. While the jokes don’t always connect or the messaging gets a little muddled, the attempted goal toward goodness works whether or not the outcome is a win or loss.
[fbcomments]
