An interesting exploration of the power and lasting effect of miscommunication against a sporting backdrop

Rating: 8/10 (27 June 2014)

A cheese on toast movie, soft on top, with an underpinning of gritty bits. There were plenty of characterful ingredients to this story. Adult daughter on the verge of real professional and personal success, seeking parental endorsement has to be the one I identified most strongly with. Ageing father, on the verge of enforced redundancy/retirement. Ambitious colleague, seeking to impress and make his mark no matter who gets trampled in his haste to do things his way. Loyal friend, fiercely protective of and believing in his colleague. Young wannabe, seeking fame and glory, groomed for moneymaking by an adoring father. Handsome young love interest (yes, that'd be Justin Timberlake) coming to terms with frustrated sporting prowess, on the verge of an acceptable second-best career. Poor, but highly talented kid in the background, on the verge of a preordained life of mediocrity. Clint Eastwood's dialogue was a little hard to catch at times as his voice was weak and husky. I watched this movie after a tiring day of travelling on trains and buses and it was a perfect story to relax me. Interesting enough to hold attention, slow enough to give time for reflection on the developing characters, short enough to watch without the need for a toilet break. The painful moments were nicely balanced by the more predictable, cheesy ones. One to put on the re-watch-in-a-while list.