Review of The Damned United (2009) by Tony N — 13 Mar 2010

The Damned United is one of the few sports films that I know of that would not excite an American audience. That this is the case is unfortunate because it is a damn fine film. Sports movies are generally to men what chick-flicks are to women -- relatable (and I need to clarify that I have enjoyed my fair share of "chick-flicks" and so I don't use that term in a belittling manner).

The Damned United's only fault (not in my eyes but those of the general American audience) is that the sport it focuses on is: football -- not American football, but its dreadful, unappealing cousin, soccer! The movie is a re-telling of actual events that took place with Leeds United between 1969 and 1974 involving the fiery and abrasive Brian Clough (a well-known sports personality in Britain).

A promising young coach, Clough (who is excellently played by Michael Sheen [The Queen, Frost/Nixon] who should one day be recognized by the American film Academy -- and could be this year for this role if the acting categories expanded to 10 nominees apiece as well), raises a third-tier team up the ranks of respectability and earns much-respect in the football universe.

The film focuses on the tumultuous 44-day "reign" of Clough as Leeds heach coach; but gives the viewer a backstory of Clough's intense rivalry with the United's former coach, the much-beloved and very-winning Don Revie, who has just left Leeds to coach Britain's national team ( Revie is played admirably by Colm Meaney [most well-known stateside for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]).

This profound, combatitive dislike for all-things Revie proves to me Clough's downfall at Leeds since it keeps him from being the success he should be. Had this exact same story taken place with the New York Giants or the L.

A. Dodgers, an American audience might give this film the time of day it deserves. Since the world of soccer isn't one most Americans care for, this movie will likely be drowned-out by Hollywood films and forgotten (or never known about) by American audiences.

Respected British thespians Timothy Spall and Academy Award winning Jim Broadbent also lend their talents to this movie in good supporting roles (Spall, in particular, is great as a put-upon and UN-respected assistant coach).

The Damned United deserves an audience but I highly doubt it will find one here in the states. If David Beckham can't pack an arena in LA, The Damned United won't be filling up theaters anywhere in the US.