Eddie the Eagle Preview

In 1988, Michael "Eddie" Edwards became the first Olympic competitor for Britain in the ski jump since 1928.  After an international competition in 1987, he was ranked 55th in the world.  That ranking was enough to qualify him to compete in the Olympics as Britain's only applicant.    At the Olympics, he finished last in his first couple events, but displayed an unwavering spirit that made him endearing to those watching the games.  He became a bit of a celebrity during the games, but his fame was seen as an embarrassment to other ski jumpers.  The media nicknamed him Eddie the Eagle and he was recognized by Frank King, an Olympic Organizer, for his tenacity.  However, after the 1988 games came to a close, a new rule was instated requiring amateurs hoping to compete in an Olympic event must compete in an International Competition and rank high enough to qualify.  This was done in an effort to keep future embarrassments like Eddie from happening again.  Because of the new stipulations, Eddie did not qualify to compete in the 1992 Olympic games.

Eddie the Eagle is the movie that is based on these events.  Knowing what I have read about the actual history, the preview becomes a little confusing.  We see a young Edwards who's greatest dream is to become an Olympian in any sport he can.  The trouble is, he's not good at any of them.  He discovers ski jumping and figures he has a chance since Britain hasn't had a ski jump competitor since 1928.  And he's just as bad at jumping as he's been at everything else.  He enlists the training of Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman) who also strongly encourages Eddie (Taron Egerton) to quit while he's still alive.  But the Eagle's determination wins over Peary and the two set out to compete in the Olympics.  We know Eddie competed in the 1988 Calgary Olympics but did not qualify for the 1992 games.  It is unclear from the preview if the Olympic Committee is trying to prevent him from competing in the 1988 or the 1992 games.  What is clear is that the other jumpers and the committee find him to be an embarrassment to the games and to their sport and want him out.  That only fuels Eddie and Peary even more to keep at it.

Eddie the Eagle is being hailed as one of the most inspirational movies of the year.  Delightfully feel-good.  Movies like this make me nervous for two reasons: first, it's based on a true story, but can I enjoy the movie without constantly analyzing how much is true and how much is embellished or changed to make it a Hollywood movie?  I've seen quite a few of these recently: The Big Short, Steve Jobs, Spotlight, Concussion.  The trick, I've found, is to not do too much research about the actual events beforehand so you can take the movie for what it is, a movie.  It's not a documentary.  The second reason this movie makes me nervous is because it's a feel-good movie about an underdog.  These can be extremely well done and bring you to tears and make you cheer from your seat.  Or they can be forced and manipulated, and I don't appreciate that.

The preview looks sweet, charming, sincere, genuine, entertaining and inspiring.  But, that's what 30 second previews are supposed to look like.  Will the movie be able to back it up?  I hope so.  I'm giving Eddie the Eagle a hesitant, but hopeful 4 Stars.  Worth the price of admission and a good candidate to find a home in my personal collection.  Am I right?  We shall see.