The power of hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, and an object lesson in what it really means to be a winner in life.
Charming and uplifting.
There’s possibly more terrible football on display than even Scottish audiences can stomach, but like the team, it’s a documentary with heart.
A triumph-of-the-underdog documentary so amusing and inspirational you’ll have to Google events to ensure it’s not a mockumentary. Back of the net.
The pace is a little leisurely, and it doesn’t demand to be seen on a big screen, but much like the characters it portrays Next Goal Wins is an unassuming winner.
There's a narrative supersub in Jaiyah Saelua, a transgender centre-back who, by her own admission, runs "like a girl" yet tackles like Chopper Harris – and is embraced by her teammates. As an antidote to Premier League cynicism, it couldn't be bettered.
American Samoa famously lost to Australia 31-0 and were declared the worst football team in the world. Next Goal Wins is a heartwarming documentary that captures their gritty determination to improve.
Slightly muted closing stretch lets the air out of the ball ever so slightly, but by then it’s already in the top corner.
Much underdog predictability duly follows, but so too does real can-they-do-it? tension, as well as some genuine insight into the local culture.
Watching this was the first time I have ever punched the air because a football sailed into the back of a net. And very probably the last.
Next Goal Wins for 'world's worst football team'
Mike Brett and Steve Jamison
General release. Check local listings for show times.
RSS feed of Cinema reviews