This film was an appalling opportunity missed. If any subject is a potential humour goldmine it is football, particularly English football. However, this film sadly failed to exploit the opportunity on almost all levels. The majority of gags were laboured or just plain bad, the characters were nowhere near mocking enough of English players and Ricky Tomlinson is just very irritating. This film was in the end just too nice. It tried to poke fun at football but not go too far, retaining a sickly sentimentality when it should of given the subject the rough ride it deserves. Don't get me wrong, I like football, but the fact was I have watched actual matches where the commentary and player behaviour were funnier than this film. A blacker, more Spinal Tapesque treatment may have done it some justice. In short, I wouldn't bother.
Review of Mike Bassett: England Manager
