Taika Waititi’s newest movie, ‘Next Goal Wins,’ is creating quite a buzz at the 48th annual Toronto International Film Festival, and we’re here to give you the inside scoop!
Based on a true story, ‘Next Goal Wins’ follows the American Samoa soccer team, still reeling from their historic 31-0 loss to Australia. Their modest aspiration is to score at least one goal during the season.
The American Football Federation throws them a lifeline in the form of Thomas Rongen (portrayed by Michael Fassbender), a disgruntled coach with anger management issues. What unfolds is a conventional underdog sports tale where a team of underachievers, including Rongen himself, defies the odds.
On paper, ‘Next Goal Wins’ might not seem like a bad career choice for Waititi, known for works like ‘Boy’ and ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople,’ which explore small-scale dramedies set in Polynesia. Regrettably, the film feels like a half-hearted creative endeavor. Most of the main cast, with a few exceptions like Oscar Kightley and Rachel House, seem uninspired. Fassbender’s character, in particular, lacks depth and feels wasted.
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Kaimana, a nonbinary actor, delivers an impressive performance in ‘Next Goal Wins’ as Jaiyah Saelua, a fa’afafine trailblazer who became the first gender non-conforming person to participate in the World Cup. Their portrayal truly shines in the movie and adds depth to the storyline. However, there are some concerns about how Taika Waititi handles sensitive topics in the film.
We really hope that people watch Taika Waititi’s ‘Next Goal Wins’ with a critical perspective. Even though he’s had some great movies in the past, this one doesn’t quite measure up.
