Based on the true story of Great Britain’s first winter Olympic ski jumper, comes the life of Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards.
It’s 1973, and Eddie (Taron Egerton) is a little boy with a big dream. He wears a leg brace, but he can hold his head under water for 58 seconds. He wants to set a record. He wants to be in the Olympics. This is a tale about believing in your dreams, despite being told by his father and Britain’s decision-makers that he’ll never be Olympic material.
The film begins at a forced and formulaic pace, before tapering down to a comfortable zone when Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman) arrives on the scene. Once the would-be hopeful Olympian “gifted flier” in 1968, Peary’s now resigned to a snow sweeper at the ramps. Apparently England hasn’t had a winning ski jumper since 1929.
Together, the underdogs train and begin at the 40 meters. It would take 3-4 years to make the 70 meter, but Eddie’s heart and soul can’t wait. As he moves to the top of the lift, a long snowy ramp beneath him, we clutch our audience thighs in anticipation each and every time he takes the risk. But every time he takes the risk, the British establishment raises the bar.
The “Bo Derek” analogy scene is fabulous, reminiscent of Meg Ryan in her “I’ll have what she’s having” When Harry Met Sally moment. But it’s when Warren Sharp (Christopher Walken) shows up to deliver a message to Jackman, we are filled with relief.
When it comes time for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Canada, the question is will Eddie make it for all the right reasons. The pressure is on our hero as we emotionally hold his hand. Eddie the Eagle soars off the ramp and straight into our hearts. The nicest movie so far this year. It will have you punching the air before clapping with tears of joy! I guess we know what happens…it’s just how he got there.
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