Lets face it, soccer based film's are by and large rubbish. Yes the odd one like Bend It Like Beckham will break out and gain an audience for novelty value. While something like Escape To Victory has a cult fan base and is a fun time filler around the holiday seasons. But yeah, soccer rarely transfers well to the big screen. Shot At Glory has many problems, but it does however deserve a pat on the back for trying to make a social point.
The plot is set around a Scottish second division football team who are owned by American Peter Cameron {Michael Keaton}. Cameron is ambitious and very aware of the coin, so in a bid to improve the teams chances of success, and perhaps hasten a move of the club to Dublin, he signs the once great striker Jackie McQuillan {Ally McCoist}. McQuillan's star has considerably waned, a renowned playboy, he is now more known for his drinking and womanising than sticking the ball in the back of the net. The news of McQuillan's signature is met with disgust by the team manager Gordon McCloud {Robert Duvall}, not just because he feels the "superstar" will upset his team ethic, but also because Jackie happens to be his son-in-law and father to his grandson! Can the many problems be overcome and make the team a success? More crucially, can the many factions involved cast off their respective demons and find redemption?
This is an alternate football universe, one where Glasgow Rangers legend Ally McCoist is playing an ex Glasgow Celtic legend. Something that is likely to make the blue half of Glasgow break out into hysteria! For anyone who knows about British football will know about the rivalry that exists between the two Glasgow clubs, and sadly the sectarian divide that cuts thru both sets of supporters. This is where the film deserves credit, it's a bold move, all be it a fantastical one, but certain points in the movie make a statement about it just being a game. Have your rivalry for sure, but don't hate each other and wish to beat each other to a pulp about it. Unfortunately that's about as good as it gets, McCoist is surprisingly effective as an actor but the actual football match scenes are badly constructed and devoid of realism. Duvall gives it a good go but he's no Scotsman, Brian Cox is poorly underused and the fairytale part of the plot is just over familiar in the sports genre of film. For football fans in the UK {I be one} there's some knowing humour to enjoy, notably with the loyal fans of Kilnockie FC. While the location work in Crail, Fife, is pleasing and warming to the eye. But it's a tough film to recommend to anyone but the hardiest British soccer fan..... 5/10
The plot is set around a Scottish second division football team who are owned by American Peter Cameron {Michael Keaton}. Cameron is ambitious and very aware of the coin, so in a bid to improve the teams chances of success, and perhaps hasten a move of the club to Dublin, he signs the once great striker Jackie McQuillan {Ally McCoist}. McQuillan's star has considerably waned, a renowned playboy, he is now more known for his drinking and womanising than sticking the ball in the back of the net. The news of McQuillan's signature is met with disgust by the team manager Gordon McCloud {Robert Duvall}, not just because he feels the "superstar" will upset his team ethic, but also because Jackie happens to be his son-in-law and father to his grandson! Can the many problems be overcome and make the team a success? More crucially, can the many factions involved cast off their respective demons and find redemption?
This is an alternate football universe, one where Glasgow Rangers legend Ally McCoist is playing an ex Glasgow Celtic legend. Something that is likely to make the blue half of Glasgow break out into hysteria! For anyone who knows about British football will know about the rivalry that exists between the two Glasgow clubs, and sadly the sectarian divide that cuts thru both sets of supporters. This is where the film deserves credit, it's a bold move, all be it a fantastical one, but certain points in the movie make a statement about it just being a game. Have your rivalry for sure, but don't hate each other and wish to beat each other to a pulp about it. Unfortunately that's about as good as it gets, McCoist is surprisingly effective as an actor but the actual football match scenes are badly constructed and devoid of realism. Duvall gives it a good go but he's no Scotsman, Brian Cox is poorly underused and the fairytale part of the plot is just over familiar in the sports genre of film. For football fans in the UK {I be one} there's some knowing humour to enjoy, notably with the loyal fans of Kilnockie FC. While the location work in Crail, Fife, is pleasing and warming to the eye. But it's a tough film to recommend to anyone but the hardiest British soccer fan..... 5/10