Review of The Offsiders (2008) by Maciek B — 09 Feb 2009

This film takes some getting used to. I've wanted to turn it off after the first 10 minutes, but have somehow decided to leave it on and slowly, have noticed myself being pulled in more and more. The cast is good, the filming is good, the reality is gritty, and the mockumentary angle used within the film does work.

For a long time, this feels like a proof of concept, or a directorial debut, more so than a feature film, but it's highly watchable if given a chance. Itâ??s a film about a group of homeless people, who essentially find meaning in whatever little they have of life, through soccer.

Itâ??s almost absurd â?? and there are a few scenes that seem borrowed from magical realism â?? but it does work and whereas the film does not purport to go beyond â??reportingâ??, it does leave a glimmer of high quality hope.