Agh, just the thought of reliving that night is absolutely unbearable. For those too young, or too non English to have hidden behind the sofa during our only semi final exit in World Cup history, I imagine this documentary cannot quite have the same emotional resonance. Five stepped up to take their place in history and the two that missed their penalties will never forgive themselves. But the face forever etched across the history of this tournament is not their's but the enigmatic genius Geordie youngster Paul Gascoigne who due to a badly timed challenge already knew that he would not represent his country in the World Cup Final. He made it ok to be English, a man, and cry. None of that stiff upper lip rubbish. Peter Bradshaw wrote about how this became the basis for the acceptable emotional outpouring at Diana's funeral years later, and doubtless the national euphoria at the 2012 Olympics.
Narrated by Gary Oldman, who's career was launched playing a hooligan in The Firm (1989), the story follows the hooligan culture of English football fans on the one hand, and the abusive nature of the press' coverage of the team on the other. The team were trapped in the eye of the storm, and Bobby Robson the manager was there to shoulder the pressure. It nearly breaks him a number of times, but he keeps calm and carries on. He's at the pinnacle of his profession and nobody is going to take that away from him, at least not until after the tournament.
The English squad is strong. Not as strong as others, but strong enough to do well. Expectations are always going to be higher than reality though and the team understands that England expects. Each team has its talisman and Gascoigne is ours. Young, fresh, untainted. A battler with the skill and balance to compare with the best in the world. But with the poor temperament of someone who hasn't yet been there and done it. He would either win it for us or throw it all away in a silly moment with a big grin on his face. Bobby is his father figure, but can he cope with the pressure enough to shield young Gazza and provide him with the the opportunity he was born for?
And so the story plays out with behind-the-scenes footage and on-the-sidelines reaction shots, until we are left with Lothar Matthäus with his arm draped around Chris Waddle's shoulder in consolation. Not the slickest documentary ever made and perhaps also not one which will work well for those not already emotionally invested in the story. Perhaps unlike Unforgivable Blackness (2004) not enough time has yet passed, or perhaps since its made for an English audience it needs to be an insider's exposition, but for a fan the film captures the emotion brilliantly. Nessun Dorma saved for the very end.. Vincero? Maybe next time
7 / 10
Trailer...