Goal! The Dream Begins

Reviewed by:
Pete Hammond

Sure, most Americans think the World Cup has something to do with Pam Anderson's bra size, but the dopily titled Goal! The Dream Begins doesn't require you to be a Manchester United season ticket holder to enjoy it. This stirring and triumphant story about believing in yourself is really a movie for anyone who followed a dream. Or anyone who likes sports clichés. The movie is about a young Mexican-American from L.A. who goes against his conservative father's wishes and heads off to England to take a gamble and try to land a slot on a world-class soccer club. Seeing him trying to survive the sport's rigid take-no-prisoners class system is fascinating for fans and nonfans alike—and the key to why the movie works. The talented (and mostly English) supporting cast makes it all watchable, but it's Kuno Becker who scores big with a winning performance.