Next Goal Wins Story:-
Taika Waititi may be attempting to cram too much content into a film that runs about the length of a football game. The narrative juggles multiple threads: the underdog tale of the American Samoa football team, dubbed “the world’s worst” after a devastating 31-0 loss; the redemption arc of a coach who’s had one too many setbacks; and Waititi’s signature blend of humor, absurdity, and the White Man vs. The Rest theme.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 2 February 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Comedy, Sport |
| Duration | 1h 37min |
| Cast | Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, Will Arnett, Elisabeth Moss, Frankie Adams, Rhys Darby, Angus Sampson, Chris Alosio, Sisa Grey |
| Director | Taika Waititi |
| Writer | Taika Waititi, Iain Morris |
| Cinematography | Lachlan Milne |
| Music | Michael Giacchino |
| Producer | Jonathan Cavendish, Garrett Basch, Taika Waititi, Mike Brett, Steve Jamison |
| Production | The Imaginarium |
| Certificate | U/A |
This storytelling approach might not be the most effective for conveying the real-life struggles of the American Samoa team, which faced humiliation after their crushing defeat. The film prioritizes jokes over delving into the individual stories of the players, some of whom juggle multiple jobs to continue playing. It also overlooks deeper exploration of the challenges facing the small island community of just over 50,000, where options for the youth are limited to working in the fish industry or joining the army.
Waititi, adapting the film from a documentary of the same name, opts to keep the tone light and enjoyable. However, much of the film’s cathartic energy is focused on the Danish-American coach Rongen (played by Fassbender), who reluctantly takes on the task of coaching the team. Rongen grapples with his own personal demons, including a string of on-field meltdowns and the collapse of his marriage (represented by Moss in an unnecessary role).
As Rongen navigates the challenges of coaching the Samoan team, he clashes with the perpetually positive team manager Tavita (convincingly portrayed by Kightley) and struggles to connect with the ragtag, out-of-shape players. One player, Jaiyah, stands out to Rongen as the world’s first openly trans player to compete in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. Jaiyah, sensitively portrayed by newcomer Kaimana, faces biases from outsiders like Rongen but finds acceptance and security within Samoan society.
While the film follows the familiar template of underdog sports stories, complete with anger, passion, injuries, and heartbreaks, it lacks a fresh perspective to distinguish itself from similar narratives. Despite its shortcomings, “Next Goal Wins” offers moments of insight and heartfelt performances that resonate with viewers.
