Next Goal Wins is a massive story, that is skimmed across with small dips into emotion and a focus on light silliness. I think the film falls most in trying to cram such a huge story into a digestible sized runtime without getting bogged down by sad backstories. I think this would have made a much better TV show, giving you more time to connect with the characters and watch them grow and change, without a sudden jump in motivation after one conversation. Although with enough comparisons to Ted Lasso, I think the TV show versions of this story would have been scrutinised against Ted Lasso entirely. The cast are the main draw in the film, with the exception of the weird Taika Waititi cameo.
Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) is forced to coach the American Samoa football team after being fired from his coaching job for his temper. He is cast off to the small island, to try and turn around the worst ranked international team in the world, with emphasis on the 31 - 0 loss to Australia in the 2001 world cup. Initially Thomas comes in with a superiority complex about him, feeling too good for the team. We are introduced to the island through Tavita (Oscar Kightley) who is the president of the American Samoa national team, along with the cameraman for the local TV station and also the owner of a restaurant on the shores of the island. You see through him and the team the comradery they have, and the passion for the game. The losses don’t appear to come from a lack of motivation or trying.
Thomas’ motivation to coach the team is minimal, he doesn’t see the team for who they are and understand why they play the game. We slowly start to break through that as he understands the team more, with a lot of it attributed to Jaiyah (Kaimana) who Thomas learns to accept her for who she is.
There are conversations about Jaiyah identifying as Faʻafafine, and the struggle that Thomas has coming to terms with this. Faʻafafine and faʻatane are an integral parts of the Samoan / American Samoa culture, with the third and fourth genders being ingrained in their traditions and beliefs. It was really nice to learn about this part of a culture that I wasn’t aware of, but the education that I got felt a bit sweeping, and as if the acceptance from Thomas was more important than sharing Jaiyah’s story. Especially with this being based on real life people, the representation of Jaiyah felt a bit one note at times, and suffers from the lack of available time to delve into her story more.
I think this extends beyond Jaiyah, with some side stories like Nicky Salapu (Uli Latukefu) and his goalkeeping journey, or even Thomas’ backstory and relationship to his separated wife, Gail (Elizabeth Moss).
I do think that what is included in it is endearing, helped by the cast and their chemistry. Michael Fassbender starts off pretty unlikeable and does warm up to the team, blending in with the dynamic they have on the island. The relationship between Thomas and Jaiyah is presented as the heart of the story, really being carried by a great performance from Kaimana. The rest of the cast do a great job at bringing the comedy to the film, with some cheap but effective jokes cropping up. Thankfully nothing like the Thor: Love and Thunder comedy stylings.
I have seen a few people talking about the fact that a lot of people are being introduced to the American Samoa culture through this film and making them all just goofy dumbs down the culture to silliness, taking away any of the cultural hurdles that may be in place. I think this is a valid criticism of the film, where there is an expectation of representation, and the balance of reality to silliness can create caricatures of real people. I don’t think the characters are all caricatures, even if they’re not the most developed personalities. I feel there is care put into the creation of the film, and the presentation of the people and their culture. The intention feels well placed, maybe just not the best execution.
The technical side of the film is pretty standard, with some beautiful locations being represented through nice cinematography, if a little bit flat in the colour department. I think the comedy and lightness is felt most in the look, as it is lit mostly evenly, with exterior daytime scenes sometimes bleeding into golden hour.
We also get a nice score from Michael Giacchino, not relying on music to remind you that you’re on an island. I think it would have been easy to fall into that trap but we get some nice upbeat songs, blended with emotional tunes to emphasise those emotions.
Overall, I think I’m disappointed with what I got from this film, considering Jojo Rabbit is one of my favourite films in the way it balances humour with drama so perfectly and paints characters so delicately. I think this Next Goal Wins feels a bit like the opposite of that, pulling the rug from under you in moments where you think a dramatic moment might happen or vice versa. The characters are not deep enough for the genuinely interesting storyline. I’m not giving up on Taika Waititi just yet, I’m holding on to the hope that we’ll get another Jojo Rabbit or Hunt for the Wilderpeople out of him.
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