Pelé: Birth of a Legend Movie Review
This biopic had to be amazing, awe-inspiring, evergreen, a classic. But sadly it isn't. I am also surprised at the lack of much hype leading up to its release. That said, this film is a must watch for all the passionate fans of football.
Pelé: Birth of a Legend, follows the early life of the legendary player Edson Arantes do Nascimento, nicknamed Dico, and how he came to be known as Pelé. It starts with a classic opening sequence of an 11 year old Dico playing football in the favelas with his friends, in a style that shows the flair of the Brazillian style. However the mood turns dark as it is the day that Brazil lost to Uruguay in the final of the 1950 World Cup, a defeat that broke the nation's spirits. Seeing his father in that state, young Dico made a promise, to win the World Cup, for his father, and for Brazil.
It portrays the racial differences of the time quite well, emphasizing the kind of obstacles faced by our protagonist prodigy to become the legend he is today. The film is also a tale about family and the sacrifices, the compromises made to allow one's child to achieve his or her greatness. It also speaks heavily about the Ginga, the name given to the Brazillian style of football, which is like the motions of a dance and flows through all Brazillians, on and off the field, something that cannot be gained simply by training.
Where the film falters is the linear narrative and the lack of character development for some of the key characters who are at different stages, the peers of Pelé. There is also the heavy overacting by all the child actors in the film that dampened any chances of an impactful start to the story, and the dripping cliches that bog down the flow from start to end.
The direction for the sequences of Dico's training and playing with his Ginga in full flow, are commendable, so kudos to Jeff & Michael Zimbalist.
The star of the show however was the performance by Sue Jorge as Pelé's father Dondinho, a man who himself had been a pro footballer but had to give up after a leg breaking injury followed by his loss of self belief. But he still holds the record for maximum goals scored in a match with headers. Jorge's portrayal of Dondinho is the backbone of this film, supported by the inspiring tunes by A.R. Rahman. Oh, and a keep an eye out for a cameo by the legend himself.
I would rate the film 3.5 out of 6 cookies, and add that it is a must watch, at theater or later at home, for everyone who has a passion for football, as a player or as a viewer, to witness the beginnings of the boy who became Pelé, the 17 year old Brazilian who played for his country and won them the 1958 World Cup, with Ginga.
Thanks for reading, hope you liked it. Feel free to follow, share and comment!
Pelé: Birth of a Legend, follows the early life of the legendary player Edson Arantes do Nascimento, nicknamed Dico, and how he came to be known as Pelé. It starts with a classic opening sequence of an 11 year old Dico playing football in the favelas with his friends, in a style that shows the flair of the Brazillian style. However the mood turns dark as it is the day that Brazil lost to Uruguay in the final of the 1950 World Cup, a defeat that broke the nation's spirits. Seeing his father in that state, young Dico made a promise, to win the World Cup, for his father, and for Brazil.
It portrays the racial differences of the time quite well, emphasizing the kind of obstacles faced by our protagonist prodigy to become the legend he is today. The film is also a tale about family and the sacrifices, the compromises made to allow one's child to achieve his or her greatness. It also speaks heavily about the Ginga, the name given to the Brazillian style of football, which is like the motions of a dance and flows through all Brazillians, on and off the field, something that cannot be gained simply by training.
Where the film falters is the linear narrative and the lack of character development for some of the key characters who are at different stages, the peers of Pelé. There is also the heavy overacting by all the child actors in the film that dampened any chances of an impactful start to the story, and the dripping cliches that bog down the flow from start to end.
The direction for the sequences of Dico's training and playing with his Ginga in full flow, are commendable, so kudos to Jeff & Michael Zimbalist.
The star of the show however was the performance by Sue Jorge as Pelé's father Dondinho, a man who himself had been a pro footballer but had to give up after a leg breaking injury followed by his loss of self belief. But he still holds the record for maximum goals scored in a match with headers. Jorge's portrayal of Dondinho is the backbone of this film, supported by the inspiring tunes by A.R. Rahman. Oh, and a keep an eye out for a cameo by the legend himself.
I would rate the film 3.5 out of 6 cookies, and add that it is a must watch, at theater or later at home, for everyone who has a passion for football, as a player or as a viewer, to witness the beginnings of the boy who became Pelé, the 17 year old Brazilian who played for his country and won them the 1958 World Cup, with Ginga.
Thanks for reading, hope you liked it. Feel free to follow, share and comment!
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