THE SLOPES The Oscars are a just a few days away and the No.1 movie in the world is the furthest thing from a family film I've seen in a long time.
Many of the movies nominated for Academy Awards are really phenomenally well done, but most are dark, bleak and overall depressing. I saw "Spotlight" and "The Big Short" in consecutive days and I was blown away by the craftsmanship and power of those films. At the same time, however, I was depressed for days.
Then "Deadpool" came out and dominated headlines and the box office. The movie may be fun and entertaining, but it is brutal and little too much for this movie fan.
With all of this I feel that "Eddie the Eagle" is just the movie we needed right now.
The cheese factor is heavy at times and the "you can do anything" message is at times a bit too in your face, but I loved this movie. Not sure if it was because it was really that great or it was just the timing, but I say this is a must see.
Here are a few reasons to check out "Eddie the Eagle":
Funny
The movie has a very serious message to it, but that doesn't keep it from being laugh-out-loud funny at times. There were moments that caught me so off guard that I was lucky I wasn't drinking a soda because it would have come straight out of my noise.
You can't help but fall in love with the lead character, Eddie Edwards, and his quirky borderline infuriating personality. The movie is packed with laughs, which really makes it a pleasure to watch. The humor is interlaced nicely with the more serious moments and heavier tones of the film. It doesn't feel unbalanced, but rather the two work together harmoniously.
Inspiring
To give a little bit of back story to "Eddie the Eagle" we need to understand how difficult ski jumping is. Most world-class jumpers start when they are 5 or 6 years old, Eddie decided to give it a go at age 22. With no ski jumping experience he decided to try and qualify for the 1988 Calgary Olympic games in just about a year.
Needless to say Eddie has a never-give-up attitude and it's infectious. The real Eddie Edwards has admitted that much of the film is fabricated, but the spirit and what Edwards worked for and accomplished is there and it's really beautiful.
You'll find yourself trying not to cheer out loud in the theater as you watch Edwards overcome challenge after challenge to accomplish his goals. When you walk out of the theater you'll feel like you're ready to take on anything that comes your way.
It's what we needed
In the midst of the presidential election that just seems to be a yelling match at this point and a wealth of very good yet very depressing films "Eddie the Eagle" is just what the doctor ordered.
It's been a good while since I've walked out of a theater feeling so positive and excited about a film. Feel good movies can be laborious at times, but this one works and its timeliness almost seems inspired.
"Eddie the Eagle" will leave you feeling like you can soar and you'll want to head back to the theater with others so you can share with them the experience.
Conclusion
Don't get me wrong, this is not a perfect film, but neither was "Rudy," but that didn't stop us from falling in love with it. The humor, performances and message are well worth your time.
I'd call this a great trip to the theater with your family with a caveat, make it an older family. "Eddie the Eagle" is rated PG-13 for some suggestive material, partial nudity and smoking. The PG-13 feels earned, but it's also on the tamer side. So when I say family film, I mean a family with teenage kids. They should be able to handle it just fine and get a really great message out of it.
Many of the movies nominated for Academy Awards are really phenomenally well done, but most are dark, bleak and overall depressing. I saw "Spotlight" and "The Big Short" in consecutive days and I was blown away by the craftsmanship and power of those films. At the same time, however, I was depressed for days.
Then "Deadpool" came out and dominated headlines and the box office. The movie may be fun and entertaining, but it is brutal and little too much for this movie fan.
With all of this I feel that "Eddie the Eagle" is just the movie we needed right now.
The cheese factor is heavy at times and the "you can do anything" message is at times a bit too in your face, but I loved this movie. Not sure if it was because it was really that great or it was just the timing, but I say this is a must see.
Here are a few reasons to check out "Eddie the Eagle":
Funny
The movie has a very serious message to it, but that doesn't keep it from being laugh-out-loud funny at times. There were moments that caught me so off guard that I was lucky I wasn't drinking a soda because it would have come straight out of my noise.
You can't help but fall in love with the lead character, Eddie Edwards, and his quirky borderline infuriating personality. The movie is packed with laughs, which really makes it a pleasure to watch. The humor is interlaced nicely with the more serious moments and heavier tones of the film. It doesn't feel unbalanced, but rather the two work together harmoniously.
Inspiring
To give a little bit of back story to "Eddie the Eagle" we need to understand how difficult ski jumping is. Most world-class jumpers start when they are 5 or 6 years old, Eddie decided to give it a go at age 22. With no ski jumping experience he decided to try and qualify for the 1988 Calgary Olympic games in just about a year.
Needless to say Eddie has a never-give-up attitude and it's infectious. The real Eddie Edwards has admitted that much of the film is fabricated, but the spirit and what Edwards worked for and accomplished is there and it's really beautiful.
You'll find yourself trying not to cheer out loud in the theater as you watch Edwards overcome challenge after challenge to accomplish his goals. When you walk out of the theater you'll feel like you're ready to take on anything that comes your way.
It's what we needed
In the midst of the presidential election that just seems to be a yelling match at this point and a wealth of very good yet very depressing films "Eddie the Eagle" is just what the doctor ordered.
It's been a good while since I've walked out of a theater feeling so positive and excited about a film. Feel good movies can be laborious at times, but this one works and its timeliness almost seems inspired.
"Eddie the Eagle" will leave you feeling like you can soar and you'll want to head back to the theater with others so you can share with them the experience.
Conclusion
Don't get me wrong, this is not a perfect film, but neither was "Rudy," but that didn't stop us from falling in love with it. The humor, performances and message are well worth your time.
I'd call this a great trip to the theater with your family with a caveat, make it an older family. "Eddie the Eagle" is rated PG-13 for some suggestive material, partial nudity and smoking. The PG-13 feels earned, but it's also on the tamer side. So when I say family film, I mean a family with teenage kids. They should be able to handle it just fine and get a really great message out of it.
