Eddie The Eagle is an inspirational story, based on true events, about Michael “Eddie” Edwards (Taron Egerton), idealistic British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself – even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a charismatic coach (Hugh Jackman) with a very dark sheep side to him, Eddie goes against the flow and the establishment and wins the hearts of sport fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
From the beginning of the story it’s emphasised that Eddie has never been athletically gifted, however, that didn’t seem to stop him and from a very early age he dedicated his life to achieving one goal: to become an Olympian. He wasn’t sure exactly which sport he will follow, and Eddie tried his hand at various sports and disciplines, before finally settling on downhill skiing. In 1984 he failed to make the British team at the Winter Olympics, but he didn’t give up. No sir! He re-calibrated and switched to ski jumping, which wasn’t necessarily the sanest option he could have gone for. Apart from never attempting it before, and being heavier than most ski jumpers, all of whom started at a very early age, 
plus having no funding, very little training and a hugely problematic eyesight which meant he had to attempt jumps while wearing glasses, he didn’t take no for an answer. Eddie ended up being the only British entrant at the 1987 World Championships, where placing 55th was enough to see him through to the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. Calgary was the ultimate goal and where Eddie the Eagle really took off.
“Guilty” for Eddie the Eagle is , who admired what Eddie had achieved and identified with him a bit: both can’t take no for an answer. He tracked down the script received by him and Guy Richie years back and started making things happen.
Eddie: Dad, don’t tell me you didn’t have a dream.
Terry: It was to be a plasterer!
Eddie wasn’t very hard to find and Taron Egerton pulled it off brilliantly. I’ve seen him before in Kingsman: The Secret Service, and that was such a different role. I found incredible the transformation he went through: from the role of a spy to that of a not so very gifted young man who had everyone against him. Eddie was brave, but in a kind way, friendly and innocent in regards to the ways of the world and Egerton managed to show the public that side of him. He showed us both his tenacity and his sensibility and not everyone can manage that in such a natural way.
Of course, Eddie might not have managed some of his performances without the help of Bronson Peary, cheekily portrayed by the talented Hugh Jackman. Bronson had his own glorious and ruined past, from which he was trying to escape. First he helped Eddie out of pity, but soon after he put his alcoholic coat aside and, inspired by Eddie’s determination and courage, decided to fully coach him. Hugh Jackman brought bits and piece of his own charm to the role and played the charisma card to the
full, which was so appropriate for someone who’d managed what Bronson had. Even if he ruined his future shortly after achieving it. He was the tough love type of coach, but all that matters was that it worked, and that he actually gave Eddie someone who was on his side, against the rest of the world. Apart from his always loving mother.
Talking about his mother, the scene where she packs him for the Olympics, giving him the same tin box as she did when he was little, was quite a moving one. The support of the family is always important in these sort of challenges and Eddie had his. Constantly from his mum and in a manlier way, with some bumps along the way from his father. The roles of his parents, portrayed by Jo Hartley and Keith Allen presented us with a very real, easy to related family, with the roles of both parents being outline every step of the way as the movie progressed.
Worth mentioning is the visual side of this film which allows us to witness from where these brave athletes take the 90 m jump and expose the audience to a view which is breathtakingly scary.
A true Olympian is not just about a God-given skill set. It is about not giving up no matter what.
For me, being born after all of this had happened and not being originally from the UK, this was sort of a new story, but a truly inspirational one. And, honestly speaking, I do love motivational plots. Especially when it’s a based on true facts one.
Eddie the Eagle will make you pause your life for a bit and think about what really matters to you. It will make you reflect about what you want to achieve. It’s the type of film that will show you that no matter what your problems are, they can be solved! How exactly is entirely up to you. If Eddie could pull that off, by risking his life, I am sure so can you!
