Day 97: "I wouldn't say I'm the top manager in the country, I'm in the top one"

Watching sports movies from other countries is a very unique experience.  Being from the United States gives me a very limited history with proper football (or soccer, as we like to call it).  A sport bordering on religion in the rest of the world, the U.S. has a minute interest in the game.  The Damned United is a football movie which is about the short (44 days, to be precise) run that Brian Clough had as manager for England's greatest team of the day: Leeds United.  As a coach Clough is portrayed as an arrogant, caring, stubborn, disenfranchised person trying to bring his brand of football to a team that was widely regarded as extremely dirty.  American fans would probably liken them to the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers of the mid-seventies (The Broad Street Bullies), talented, but brutal.  Taking a team over from a popular manager, Clough had his work cut out for him.  The story flashes backwards and forwards to show us how this man came to be regarded as a top manager.  This movie moves along very nicely, utilizing its time shifts to keep the story fresh.  Watching this has made me realize that I need to watch more Barclay's Premiere League Football.  Everything about the sport: the players, the coaches, the front office, the fans, these people bleed the sport.  I was thoroughly entertained watching this.

Michael Sheen does an amazing job as Clough, juggling a bevy of emotions throughout.  Timothy Spall is Clough's closest colleague, and his choice to not come to be an assistant really played a huge role.  His character had an impact, even while not on screen.  Colm Meaney played Don Revie, the manager who is quite demonized in this film, he comes across as bitter and extremely hostile towards Clough.  One can hope that the professional relationship between the two didn't have that much animosity.

On the whole, a very entertaining football picture.  Filmed to look like it was made in the period, even the film stock has that graininess that I have come to associate with the sixties and seventies.  Spall and Meaney provide two standout performances.  This is a blast to watch, and really shows someone on the outside of the English football culture what passion and devotion those who are involved have for their beloved sport.  8.75/10.

See you tomorrow, and GO WATCH A MOVIE!!