The Damned United
Directed by: Tom Hooper
Starring: Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, and Jim Broadbent
Rated: R for language
Writer Peter Morgan can seemingly take the most un-cinematic events in British history and turn a fantastic film out of them. Especially when he re-teams with director Tom Hooper (HBO's John Adams), whom he worked with on the movie Longford, as well actor Michael Sheen, whom has appeared in many of Morgan's recent pictures, including last year's film Frost/Nixon. Sheen shines again, this time as the obsessed and outspoken soccer manager Brian Clough. However, it's Morgan's wit and craft, along with Hooper's visual style that truly won me over. Even unlike Frost/Nixon, this film gives you a true sense of its 1970s British setting, especially with it's high contrasted, unsaturated images. The terrific supporting performances, such as Timothy Spall, only add to the film's strength.
However, although it's considered a dramatic-comedy, The Damned United is also a very sad film. Clough's obsession to beat the legacy of his coaching rival is so crippling, Clough not only causes his problems, but can't truly enjoy his own successes. And, while the film ends with some resolution to his turbulent journey, it also hints that Clough's life was continually plagued and difficult, thanks to his cockiness and loud-mouth habits. Clough needed to learn that there are only three people who deserve to brag about their accomplishments: Peter Morgan, Tom Hooper, and Michael Sheen. Because, when they're united, they're unbeatable.
Directed by: Tom Hooper
Starring: Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, and Jim Broadbent
Rated: R for language
Writer Peter Morgan can seemingly take the most un-cinematic events in British history and turn a fantastic film out of them. Especially when he re-teams with director Tom Hooper (HBO's John Adams), whom he worked with on the movie Longford, as well actor Michael Sheen, whom has appeared in many of Morgan's recent pictures, including last year's film Frost/Nixon. Sheen shines again, this time as the obsessed and outspoken soccer manager Brian Clough. However, it's Morgan's wit and craft, along with Hooper's visual style that truly won me over. Even unlike Frost/Nixon, this film gives you a true sense of its 1970s British setting, especially with it's high contrasted, unsaturated images. The terrific supporting performances, such as Timothy Spall, only add to the film's strength.However, although it's considered a dramatic-comedy, The Damned United is also a very sad film. Clough's obsession to beat the legacy of his coaching rival is so crippling, Clough not only causes his problems, but can't truly enjoy his own successes. And, while the film ends with some resolution to his turbulent journey, it also hints that Clough's life was continually plagued and difficult, thanks to his cockiness and loud-mouth habits. Clough needed to learn that there are only three people who deserve to brag about their accomplishments: Peter Morgan, Tom Hooper, and Michael Sheen. Because, when they're united, they're unbeatable.
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