Amusing, uplifting, and about as sugary and teeth-sabotaging as caramelized popcorn, The Beautiful Game celebrates the healing power of team sports for those who might feel pushed to society’s margins by misfortune or choice. Although prefaced with the vague assurance that it’s based on true stories, this comedy-drama by eminent British screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce (The Railway Man) and directed by Thea Sharrock (Wicked Little Letters) is a tidily assembled, happy-ending-hewing narrative package that revolves mostly around the fortunes of a half dozen unhoused men, competing for England in the Homeless World Cup.
Bill Nighy stars as the team’s manager, a former scout for major London football club West Ham, who takes the team to Rome, where he must also accommodate each player’s foibles and faults, including the arrogance of star striker Vinnie (Micheal Ward, of Empire of Light). After a short theatrical run in the U.
Bill Nighy stars as the team’s manager, a former scout for major London football club West Ham, who takes the team to Rome, where he must also accommodate each player’s foibles and faults, including the arrogance of star striker Vinnie (Micheal Ward, of Empire of Light). After a short theatrical run in the U.
- 3/29/2024
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Beautiful Game by Thea Sharrock is available on Netflix now. The movie depicts the lives of homeless people and the adversities they face. As a sports drama film filled with characters wrestling with their demons, The Beautiful Game shows how the Homeless World Cup, as an initiative, works to raise awareness about homelessness, a raging social issue in almost every country in the world. But again, the point isn’t just to raise awareness. By giving this opportunity to people who have lost hope in themselves, this initiative intends to uplift these people and reinstate them in a society where they can function for their renewed self-esteem. The Homeless World Cup helps people believe in themselves again. The film surely sticks close to reality and pays homage to all those people around the world suffering without a roof above their heads. It presents an array of different characters who...
- 3/29/2024
- by Shrey Ashley Philip
- Film Fugitives
Coming off a well-deserved first-ever Oscar nomination, Bill Nighy has a new worthwhile movie to add to his highly impressive filmography. The Beautiful Game is, on its surface, another well-worn story of a ragtag team of misfits coming together for validation not just in their football (i.e. soccer) skills but, more importantly, in their lives. And even though we have seen countless underdog stories like this one set on a playing field, we actually haven’t seen one quite like this in terms of the welcome spotlight it puts on the homeless population among us. The timing is particularly pertinent as many major cities seem to a war going on with the homeless, a complete lack of empathy toward what gets a person to this point in life and a solution for lifting them out of it.
The Beautiful Game is not focused on the politics of their lot in life,...
The Beautiful Game is not focused on the politics of their lot in life,...
- 3/28/2024
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
An assortment of familiar life-as-sport metaphors get a healthy workout in “The Beautiful Game,” a story of underdog athletes for whom winning may not be everything, though it’s a welcome distraction from greater obstacles. For many viewers, Thea Sharrock’s cheery Netflix entertainment may serve as an introduction to the real-life event on which it’s based: the Homeless World Cup, an annual soccer tournament bringing together displaced or dispossessed players from nearly 50 countries, playing not merely for a trophy but for a second shot at life. As a premise for an inspirational sports drama, that’s close to unbeatable, and no amount of rote writing in Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s patchy script can dim the film’s lump-in-the-throat effectiveness.
Though drawn from the stories of a range of Homeless World Cup players, the film ultimately centers a single team — England, of course — from the event’s international tapestry, and...
Though drawn from the stories of a range of Homeless World Cup players, the film ultimately centers a single team — England, of course — from the event’s international tapestry, and...
- 3/21/2024
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has debuted the first official trailer for Thea Sharrock’s ‘The Beautiful Game,’ featuring Bill Nighy.
Mal is the manager of England’s homeless football team, taking his players to Rome with the hope of being crowned champions of the Homeless World Cup, a global street soccer tournament. At the last minute, he decides to bring with them a talented striker Vinny, who could give them a real chance at winning, but only if he’s ready to let go of his past and become part of the team.
Made with the support of the Homeless World Cup, The Beautiful Game is a film of second chances – where homeless teams from around the world find that all roads lead to Rome, and everything’s to play for.
Directed by Thea Sharrock, the cast includes Bill Nighy, Micheal Ward, Susan Wokoma, Callum Scott Howells, Kit Young, Sheyi Cole, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor,...
Mal is the manager of England’s homeless football team, taking his players to Rome with the hope of being crowned champions of the Homeless World Cup, a global street soccer tournament. At the last minute, he decides to bring with them a talented striker Vinny, who could give them a real chance at winning, but only if he’s ready to let go of his past and become part of the team.
Made with the support of the Homeless World Cup, The Beautiful Game is a film of second chances – where homeless teams from around the world find that all roads lead to Rome, and everything’s to play for.
Directed by Thea Sharrock, the cast includes Bill Nighy, Micheal Ward, Susan Wokoma, Callum Scott Howells, Kit Young, Sheyi Cole, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor,...
- 2/29/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Netflix brings us the trailer for a sports film with an interesting twist. The Beautiful Game is based on a true story of a soccer event, The Homeless World Cup. The film stars Bill Nighy, Micheal Ward, Susan Wokoma, Callum Scott Howells, Kit Young, Sheyi Cole, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Robin Nazari, Aoi Okuyama, Cristina Rodlo, Tadashi Watanabe, Kazuhiro Muroyama and Valeria Golino.
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
“Mal is the manager of England’s homeless football team, taking his players to Rome with the hope of being crowned champions of the Homeless World Cup, a global street soccer tournament. At the last minute he decides to bring with them a talented striker Vinny, who could give them a real chance at winning, but only if he’s ready to let go of his past and become part of the team. Made with the support of the Homeless World Cup, The Beautiful Game...
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
“Mal is the manager of England’s homeless football team, taking his players to Rome with the hope of being crowned champions of the Homeless World Cup, a global street soccer tournament. At the last minute he decides to bring with them a talented striker Vinny, who could give them a real chance at winning, but only if he’s ready to let go of his past and become part of the team. Made with the support of the Homeless World Cup, The Beautiful Game...
- 2/29/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
"Everyone has a reason for being, and every player has a story to tell." Netflix has revealed a full trailer for a sports comedy called The Beautiful Game, arriving for streaming globally on Netflix later this March. Another new feature directed by British filmmaker Thea Sharrock opening this year, along with her comedy Wicked Little Letters set for US release also in March. The legendary Bill Nighy stars as Mal, the manager of England's homeless football team. He decides to take his players to Rome with the hope of being crowned champions of the Homeless World Cup, a global street soccer tournament. (Yes it really exists.) At the last minute he decides to bring a talented striker Vinny, who could give them a real chance at winning. Made with the support of the Homeless World Cup, and produced by Colin Farrell, The Beautiful Game is a film of second chances...
- 2/29/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Netflix kicked off February with news of the streaming service’s 2024 film slate.
The steamer, which landed 18 Oscar nominations this year – including seven for Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” – will debut numerous populist films in 2024, including new projects from Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry, Jenifer Lopez, Millie Bobby Brown, Eddie Murphy, and more.
Well-known directors with movies set to premiere on Netflix this year include Tyler Perry (two titles), McG, Richard Linklater, and Lee Daniels. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will also make his directorial debut with “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story.”
On the awards front, while it’s too early to tell which projects might pop – and what movies Netflix might acquire for release this year, similarly to how the studio purchased Todd Haynes’ “May December” at the Cannes Film Festival last year – titles to flag include “The Piano Lesson” from Malcolm Washington with Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington,...
The steamer, which landed 18 Oscar nominations this year – including seven for Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” – will debut numerous populist films in 2024, including new projects from Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry, Jenifer Lopez, Millie Bobby Brown, Eddie Murphy, and more.
Well-known directors with movies set to premiere on Netflix this year include Tyler Perry (two titles), McG, Richard Linklater, and Lee Daniels. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will also make his directorial debut with “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story.”
On the awards front, while it’s too early to tell which projects might pop – and what movies Netflix might acquire for release this year, similarly to how the studio purchased Todd Haynes’ “May December” at the Cannes Film Festival last year – titles to flag include “The Piano Lesson” from Malcolm Washington with Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington,...
- 2/1/2024
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Netflix has set a March 29 global launch for Homeless World Cup movie The Beautiful Game, which stars Oscar nominee Bill Nighy (Living) and BAFTA winner Micheal Ward (Top Boy).
The movie will follow Mal (Nighy), the manager of England’s homeless soccer team, who takes his players to Rome with the hope of being crowned champions of the Homeless World Cup, a global street tournament. At the last minute he decides to bring talented striker Vinny (Ward), who could give them a real chance at winning, but Vinny must overcome personal demons and embrace the team to give them a chance at winning the tournament. Above is a first-look image from the movie.
Also starring are Susan Wokoma, Callum Scott Howells, Kit Young, Sheyi Cole, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Robin Nazari, Aoi Okuyama, Cristina Rodlo, Tadashi Watanabe, Kazuhiro Muroyama and Valeria Golino.
The long-gestating project, which began filming in 2021, has been produced by Graham Broadbent,...
The movie will follow Mal (Nighy), the manager of England’s homeless soccer team, who takes his players to Rome with the hope of being crowned champions of the Homeless World Cup, a global street tournament. At the last minute he decides to bring talented striker Vinny (Ward), who could give them a real chance at winning, but Vinny must overcome personal demons and embrace the team to give them a chance at winning the tournament. Above is a first-look image from the movie.
Also starring are Susan Wokoma, Callum Scott Howells, Kit Young, Sheyi Cole, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Robin Nazari, Aoi Okuyama, Cristina Rodlo, Tadashi Watanabe, Kazuhiro Muroyama and Valeria Golino.
The long-gestating project, which began filming in 2021, has been produced by Graham Broadbent,...
- 1/16/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
BAFTA and Golden Globe Award winner actor Bill Nighy and BAFTA Rising Star award-winning actor Micheal Ward (Top Boy, Small Axe- Lovers Rock), will lead the cast of ‘The Beautiful Game’, a new Netflix Film from director Thea Sharrock.
Joining Nighy and Ward are Valeria Golino on the cast are, Callum Scott Howells (It’s a Sin), Kit Young (Shadow & Bone), Sheyi Cole (Small Axe – Alex Wheatle), Robin Nazari (Snabba Cash), Tom Vaughan – Lawlor (Avengers Infinity War, The Infiltrator), Susan Wokoma (Chewing Gum, Enola Holmes), Layo-Christina Akinlude (The End of the F**king World) and Cristina Rodlo (No One Gets Out Alive).
The film follows a team of English homeless footballers, led by their coach Mal (Bill Nighy), who travel from London to Rome to compete in a global annual football tournament – The Homeless World Cup. At the last minute, they decide to bring with them a talented striker...
Joining Nighy and Ward are Valeria Golino on the cast are, Callum Scott Howells (It’s a Sin), Kit Young (Shadow & Bone), Sheyi Cole (Small Axe – Alex Wheatle), Robin Nazari (Snabba Cash), Tom Vaughan – Lawlor (Avengers Infinity War, The Infiltrator), Susan Wokoma (Chewing Gum, Enola Holmes), Layo-Christina Akinlude (The End of the F**king World) and Cristina Rodlo (No One Gets Out Alive).
The film follows a team of English homeless footballers, led by their coach Mal (Bill Nighy), who travel from London to Rome to compete in a global annual football tournament – The Homeless World Cup. At the last minute, they decide to bring with them a talented striker...
- 8/3/2021
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Exclusive: Small Axe and Top Boy star Micheal Ward and Emma actor Bill Nighy have been set to lead The Beautiful Game, a Netflix film about a group of English homeless footballers who compete in the Homeless World Cup.
Thea Sharrock (Me Before You) is directing from a screenplay by Frank Cottrell-Boyce (The Railway Man). Producers are Blueprint Pictures’ Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin with Anita Overland.
Also starring are Valeria Golino (Morning Show), Callum Scott Howells (It’s a Sin), Kit Young (Shadow & Bone), Sheyi Cole (Small Axe), Robin Nazari (Snabba Cash), Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Avengers Infinity War), Susan Wokoma (Enola Holmes), Layo-Christina Akinlude (The End of the F**king World) and Cristina Rodlo (No One Gets Out Alive).
Led by their coach Mal (Bill Nighy), the film follows the soccer team as they travel from London to Rome for the Homeless World Cup. At the last minute they decide to...
Thea Sharrock (Me Before You) is directing from a screenplay by Frank Cottrell-Boyce (The Railway Man). Producers are Blueprint Pictures’ Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin with Anita Overland.
Also starring are Valeria Golino (Morning Show), Callum Scott Howells (It’s a Sin), Kit Young (Shadow & Bone), Sheyi Cole (Small Axe), Robin Nazari (Snabba Cash), Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Avengers Infinity War), Susan Wokoma (Enola Holmes), Layo-Christina Akinlude (The End of the F**king World) and Cristina Rodlo (No One Gets Out Alive).
Led by their coach Mal (Bill Nighy), the film follows the soccer team as they travel from London to Rome for the Homeless World Cup. At the last minute they decide to...
- 8/3/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
"Snabba Cash", is the new six-episode 'crime thriller' TV series, based on novels by author Jens Lapidus, set in Stockholm, Sweden, 10 years after events depicted in the "Snabba Cash" ('Easy Money') movie series, starring Evin Ahmad, Alexander Abdallah, Ali Alarik, Olle Sarri, Dada Fungula Bozela, Ayan Ahmed, Khalil Ghazal, Robin Nazari and Felice Jankell, streaming April 7, 2021 on Netflix:
"...in the criminal undergrounds of Stockholm, people have become more obsessed with status and money. When tech entrepreneur 'Leya' (Evin Ahmad) kick starts her company with laundered money, she finds out there are no shortcuts to the top without paying the price.
"But Leya is determined to beat the odds no matter what the cost. Now when worlds collide, loyalty, friendships and business partners will all be tested in a never-ending quest for easy money..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...in the criminal undergrounds of Stockholm, people have become more obsessed with status and money. When tech entrepreneur 'Leya' (Evin Ahmad) kick starts her company with laundered money, she finds out there are no shortcuts to the top without paying the price.
"But Leya is determined to beat the odds no matter what the cost. Now when worlds collide, loyalty, friendships and business partners will all be tested in a never-ending quest for easy money..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 2/26/2021
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
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