12 reviews
This film is, in my opinion, quite solid. It's not perfect, but the story flows well and the message is most important. The human spirit cannot be defeated.
And for all the reviewers who expected star power and high-octane action movie, look elsewhere. This is, after all, drama-indie flick.
Story 10 * Directing 7 * Editing 8 * Score 8 * Casting 6 * VFX 4 *
And for all the reviewers who expected star power and high-octane action movie, look elsewhere. This is, after all, drama-indie flick.
Story 10 * Directing 7 * Editing 8 * Score 8 * Casting 6 * VFX 4 *
- revribhav-96772
- Jul 14, 2021
- Permalink
Poor retelling of a great story about courage and resilience. Based on real events, I could let it slide if it was a solid drama that was lacking a bit in the sports department or an excellent sport movie with dramatic elements sort of bolted on around it. Unfortunately, The Match fails in both areas.
Being indie or low-budget doesn't have to mean low quality. It's not even an attention to detail issue. It's just bad. The script is ridiculous, acting was stiff, and direction felt like they had a two-take limit and just took what they got. The two biggest-name actors (Nero and Assante) are in the movie for less than five minutes combined. "The match" itself, which is supposed to be the highlight of such a film, is laughable from a technical perspective. It feels thrown together, shot, and edited in the same afternoon. The choreography is unskilled, uninspired, and amateurish, even though they cast pro footballers.
The rules and equipment are completely wrong for the era. Now, if they had missed by a few years or even a decade, OK fine, whatever, let's not nitpick... but they missed by 70+ years in some cases! It's no exaggeration to say it would be more accurate if characters had cell phones in WWII. That's how far off they missed. Yes, this is a low budget, indie film. Pretty sure they could afford Google and could spare 5 minutes.
2/10 .. Referee, sub please!?
Such a great story deserves to be told in a way that isn't so painful to watch. For example, a dramatized version is told very well in Victory (1981), starring Pele, Sylvester Stallone, Max von Sydow, and Sir Michael Caine (not a lot of people know that). I can't stress enough that you need to go watch that movie instead, especially if you've never seen it before.
Being indie or low-budget doesn't have to mean low quality. It's not even an attention to detail issue. It's just bad. The script is ridiculous, acting was stiff, and direction felt like they had a two-take limit and just took what they got. The two biggest-name actors (Nero and Assante) are in the movie for less than five minutes combined. "The match" itself, which is supposed to be the highlight of such a film, is laughable from a technical perspective. It feels thrown together, shot, and edited in the same afternoon. The choreography is unskilled, uninspired, and amateurish, even though they cast pro footballers.
The rules and equipment are completely wrong for the era. Now, if they had missed by a few years or even a decade, OK fine, whatever, let's not nitpick... but they missed by 70+ years in some cases! It's no exaggeration to say it would be more accurate if characters had cell phones in WWII. That's how far off they missed. Yes, this is a low budget, indie film. Pretty sure they could afford Google and could spare 5 minutes.
2/10 .. Referee, sub please!?
Such a great story deserves to be told in a way that isn't so painful to watch. For example, a dramatized version is told very well in Victory (1981), starring Pele, Sylvester Stallone, Max von Sydow, and Sir Michael Caine (not a lot of people know that). I can't stress enough that you need to go watch that movie instead, especially if you've never seen it before.
- NosCustodimus
- Jul 11, 2021
- Permalink
The plot is dull, the football action meek and amateurish. Three stars fully justified by cameos from Viduka, Kova & Lovren. More of a freestyle, pseudo-docu reconstruction that looks cheap and.fails to generate any emotional attachment. Really poor.
- VKintheUK-83-552768
- Jul 16, 2021
- Permalink
The story is touching and captivating. It shows hope in the darkest moments, and shows how human spirits can transcend into selflessness for the greater good.
Really? We have already seen this with great cast and script and story and acring and direction. I dont know what are all trying to do with remaking (nd failing)not so old classic films.
- spyroschas
- Jan 11, 2022
- Permalink
Despite the previous reviews I loved this movie. You get hold by the granddad who is telling its lifestory to his grandchild... a beautifull life lesson to be passed foreword. It reminds you of the fact that the only thing in life what is important is life itselfs.
So no spoiler alerts here. But please see this movie and see this Hungarian man standing his grounds... by God almighty, this is what humanity should be...
Be fair, be right, be justice
Help eachother when in need and respect one another, if you respect human life you respect progress..
# I'm Dutch, so sorry if I made some grammar mistakes... Loved the movie & football (so we say in Europe ;-)
So no spoiler alerts here. But please see this movie and see this Hungarian man standing his grounds... by God almighty, this is what humanity should be...
Be fair, be right, be justice
Help eachother when in need and respect one another, if you respect human life you respect progress..
# I'm Dutch, so sorry if I made some grammar mistakes... Loved the movie & football (so we say in Europe ;-)
- ruud-dijkstra
- Dec 23, 2022
- Permalink
- jhconway-95793
- Dec 24, 2022
- Permalink
I did not begin to watch this movie with high expectations but I have to say it is very respectable. I do not understand some of the "criticisms", if you can even call them that. Sure, the actors in the film aren't famous but that's because it's an indie film, not a Hollywood production. I'd say the actors put in performances decent enough that they don't detract from the film. In terms of the production, perhaps someone would have managed to hide the small budget even better, but I didn't mind how the film was presented. In few insignificant places I did think some directional choices were a bit weird but not nearly enough to make me dislike the film. Because the most important thing works- and that is the story. I wouldn't say it's not comparable to anything else done before but it is a classic that works and is enjoyable. I would happily watch this movie many more times.
I am never speechless. But I really don't have the words. There aren't any You have to watch for yourself, and the actors, still no words.
Thank you for sharing this with the world.
Thank you for sharing this with the world.
- gemini-69371
- Jan 11, 2022
- Permalink
I absolutely loved this move. As I have seen many pre war movies. I already had an assumption in my mind about this movie. But it was different. Sensitive and daring at the same time. Ppl will give their last if they believe in what's it's right. You can't deny anyone talent.
This is not a real review, it should be understood more as a collection of impressions on the film.
A low-budget film that tells the story of a football match between Nazis and prisoners in a concentration camp, that said, the film seems to be a very sad half-assed film and instead it turns out to be a compelling and emotionally charged thing that fully captures you from the beginning to the end, mixing moments heavy and trying to beautiful scenes of lightness and lightheartedness so as to give a complete film which, even if it tells a tragic and terrible story, does not fall into total despair because it wants to teach us something and it does so masterfully.
A low-budget film that tells the story of a football match between Nazis and prisoners in a concentration camp, that said, the film seems to be a very sad half-assed film and instead it turns out to be a compelling and emotionally charged thing that fully captures you from the beginning to the end, mixing moments heavy and trying to beautiful scenes of lightness and lightheartedness so as to give a complete film which, even if it tells a tragic and terrible story, does not fall into total despair because it wants to teach us something and it does so masterfully.
- gianmarcoronconi
- Jul 5, 2024
- Permalink