The Liverpool Goalie (2010)

Good idea lost in the noise

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

This absolutely charming and thoroughly entertaining coming of age tale from Norway explores such universal themes as friendship, honesty, family, puberty, bullying, confronting your fears and, of course, football. Jo (Ask van der Hagen) is a bright boy, but since the death of his father in an unfortunate accident he is very fearful. He would love to be on the soccer team, but his overprotective mother worries about injuries. He also is fond of Mari, the bright new girl in school, but cannot work up the courage to approach her. And he is also being bullied at school by the nasty Tom Erik, who forces him to do his homework, and is afraid to stand up for himself. As Jo is confronted by decisions, he works through the various consequences in some wonderfully amusing flights of fancy. All of the boys are into collecting football cards with an almost obsessive passion, and the Holy Grail is a rare card featuring the goal keeper of English A League club Liverpool. With an insightful script and sympathetic direction from Arild Andresen, making his feature film debut, The Liverpool Goalie is a real winner. The performances of the children are natural and affecting, with young van der Hagen excellent as the frightened, mousy Jo.

I went to see this film when I by coincidence discovered that an old schoolmate of mine had done he editing/clipping job. I had seen a trailer, which I though was stupid, but since my friend is a great craftsman (e.g. behind the movie "Fritt vilt II") I went to see this one.From the very first scene I was captured by how intelligent the use of humor was. This is made for teenagers, especially i thought for those who spend a lot of their time playing soccer. But the case is that this is simply a well written, and great acted comedy for all. You don't even need a family to enjoy this family-comedy.Thirteen year old Jo is a smart thinker of a guy, and has a very vivid imagination, but is bothered by his fellow classmates, and is a rather hopeless soccer goalie. Still he tries to cope with this difficult time in life. He's doing the homework of the "bad guy" in his class, son of a rich salesman of caravans. Jo's mother is seeing dangers all around, being overprotective, and trying to hide her affair with the psychologist neighbor. Every kid in the street is trying to get hold of a football-card with the goalie of Liverpool. This is to kill for...Extra kudos to both Jo and his mother Andrine Sæther. Fritjof Såheim as the football coach, and father of Jo's best friend is once again brilliant in a role. See this, and be amused. I found myself laughing more than I can ever remember to have done in many years. And this film is not made for middle aged men. But that's how good it is!