Who remembers Eddie the Eagle from the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary? He was the British guy who came in last in ski jumping but had the best time doing it.
Now we have a movie about him that you can watch with your (older) kids: Eddie the Eagle (2016, PG-13, Available On DVD).
Michael "Eddie" Edwards (Taron Egerton) longs to be an Olympian, and he'll do whatever it takes to become one. With his mother's support and his father's discouragement, he tries one sport after another and fails. He sees his chance to go to the Olympics when he learns that Great Britain hasn't had any ski jumpers in competition since 1929.
As quickly as he can, he learns to ski jump, and even finds a coach in a failed American ski jumper, Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman). Eddie has to fight elitist British Olympics officials to be a team of one, but he makes it to Calgary, where his antics make him a favorite with the crowd, and he earns the nickname of Eddie the Eagle.
Eddie the Eagle is very loosely based on reality, and sure, it's formulaic and a bit silly, but it's fun. You have to decide if your children are mature enough to see it. I probably would have allowed my kids to watch it when they were younger than thirteen, but I would have used it as a learning opportunity. For example, when Eddie's teammates urge him to get so drunk the he misses the Opening Ceremonies at the Olympics, it's a good time to talk about not succumbing to peer pressure.
I watched Eddie the Eagle on Showtime or HBO (don't remember which), but it's available on DVD. I remember Eddie and wanted to recall the happy times at the 1988 Olympics.
Eddie the Eagle earns The Janie Junebug Highest Flying Seal of Approval.
I urge you to look up Eddie's true story. He really was a man who would do anything to achieve his dreams.
Happy viewing!
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
We saw that the other night and enjoyed it! Proves once again, that true stories make the best movies. Interesting that Eddie had a washed up American Olympian as a coach, just like the Jamaican Bobsled Team, another attraction at the Calgary Olympics. Have a good weekend and Happy Holidays, Janie!
ReplyDeleteThe American coach is one part of the movie that's not a reality. I don't think Eddie had a coach at all.
DeleteOh, that's too bad, but it sure made the story even more interesting. ☺ Eddie briefly had a couple of coaches, according to historyvshollywood.com
DeleteI bet the real coaches weren't as hot as Hugh Jackman.
Deletesounds like a good movie. I'm dogsitting from now til after the 1st so looking for some good movies to watch. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas sweet Janie!
Michele at Angels Bark
Merry Christmas to you, sweet Michele!
DeleteHi Janie - that all happened when I was in South Africa ... so never saw the real thing, or don't think I've seen the movie ... probably a fun one for families ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIt's cute. I enjoyed it even though I don't have kids around these days.
DeleteI remember Eddie the Eagle very well. I loved him! He was a folk hero in Canada during the Calgary Olympics! The Olympics subsequently changed the rules so no one like him (i.e. a completely unqualified athlete) could compete again. I want to see this movie but haven't had time yet. Another classic one in this same mode of fish-out-of-water-underdogs is "Cool Runnings" about the Jamaican Bobsled that came to the (I think) same Calgary Olympics. It's an older movie but worthwhile watching, if you haven't seen it.
ReplyDeleteMy kids and I watched Cool Runnings so many times. We loved that movie.
DeleteThat's another good one! ☺
DeleteDon't remember Eddie The Eagle, but then I rarely watched sports my whole life--LOL! And I have tended to avoid the news as much as possible since Vietnam. (Watetgate being the exception.) Sounds liike a feel-good movie alright. :)
ReplyDeleteIn spite of your aversion to sports, you might like Eddie.
DeleteThanks for the recommendation, Janie - my library owns this so I'm going to borrow it once we're done watching all the traditional Christmas movies at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Susan
My Christmas Eve will be taken up by my favorite movie, It's A Wonderful Life.
DeleteI remember Eddie the Eagle from the Olympics. Quite a character.
ReplyDeleteHe became a lawyer.
DeleteHi, Janie! Of course I remember Eddie the Eagle! My family has lived in Calgary for decades. I actually tried to learn to ski on the hill underneath the actual jump. The ski area was known as Paskapoo in 1981. I injured my knee badly on the third lesson ~ the whole top of the hill was ice ~ and haven't tried downhill since. Eddie was a true inspiration and showed that it wasn't about the winning, but about achieving a persona dream and goal. Speaking of Calgary, I'm waiting in MaCarran Airport in Las Vegas for a flight to Calgary. Terry surprised me on Tuesday with an early Christmas gift, a trip to Calgary to spend Christmas with my family for the first time this century! Nobody but my sister Donnie knows we're coming, so it's a secret for everyone! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones! Sending hugs!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame you injured your knee. Otherwise, we might have cheered for you at a later Olympics. Eddie shows that you never know what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it. How exciting that you're on your way to Calgary. I promise not to tell your family that you're on your way.
DeleteSo if I don't have children, am I mature enough for this? My gut kinda says no.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not mature enough. I picture you imitating Eddie and heading down a ski jump.
DeleteWell, let's be honest, if I wasn't going to break both of my ankles doing this, I would have just done it through some other idiotic stunt.
DeleteThen take off and fly, Beer Eagle.
DeleteI saw the previews for this and loved it! But haven't seen it yet. Okay, you pushed me. Now I must check it out!
ReplyDeleteI remember Eddie back then. We were all rooting for him. I hope to slap on my cross country skis this weekend now that we've gotten a foot or two of snow on the ground. I'll let Eddie's persistence inspire me.
ReplyDeleteI must be totally devoid of knowing what's on my premium channels. If it weren't for you, I would never catch these films. I will go check it out.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Brit, so I remember Eddie, and I loved this film!
ReplyDelete