PlatinumRead Just so...so bad

Noutions Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Brooklynn There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

Saskia The Damned United (2009) is a biopic about Brian Clough, a former British football player and manager. Directed by Tom Hooper, the film is centred around Clough's infamously unsuccessful managerial spell at Leeds United. The way in which the main character's rise and fall in the football word are portrayed as interwoven with both his partner Peter Taylor – portrayed by Timothy Spall – and his antagonist Don Revie – played by Colm Meany who bears an uncanny resemblance to the real-life figure – is typical for Peter Morgan's screenplays. The eccentric Clough, who seeks to revolutionise Leeds United after Revie's time as manager ended, is superbly captured by Michael Sheen, who is undoubtedly well versed in bringing Morgan's intricate scripts to life. They already worked together on The Deal (2003), The Queen (2006), Frost/Nixon (2008) and subsequently on The Special Relationship (2010). Tom Hooper manages to conjure up the atmosphere of the football world, in which team spirit is an imperative for success, by creating strong references to family unity. Clough's partner Peter Tayler is a gifted talent scout and keeps his lofty colleague grounded, whilst exhibiting an often comical level of intimacy within their symbiotic relationship. Revie on the other hand, takes the place of an admired, yet unattainable father figure in Clough's life. Scenes in which Clough meticulously prepares the run-down Derby County stadium for an FA Cup tie with the then overpowering Leeds United, managed by Revie, establish Clough's basic wish of being respected and admired as a manager. The brutal defeat of his team and the apparently snobbish behaviour of Revie serve as a turning point in Clough's life. Hooper skilfully juxtaposes Clough's heyday at Derby, characterised by chanting fans and bright background lighting lending the manager a saint-like aura, with his bleak days at Leeds, culminating in austerely lit scenes of total isolation. Although the film is deeply rooted in the 1960s and 70s, topics such as outrageous wages and enormous egos are still very relevant to modern football fans. This biopic pays tribute to the legendary partnership of Clough and Taylor, whilst telling a cautionary tale about the detrimental effect of lacking solidarity and humbleness in the sporting world. All in all, an amazing cast performance, an engaging screenplay – albeit not strictly biographical – and riveting editing, interlaced with flashbacks and montages, guarantee an enjoyable viewing experience for everyone who likes to look behind the scenes of sports management.

darosslfc The Damned United is probably the best film about soccer/European Football out there. That being said, this movie isn't just a sports movie or bromance, but it also qualifies as a dramatic gem. Tom Hooper, director of the King's Speech and Les Misérables, takes helm of this small independent film, and Peter Morgan, writer of The Last King of Scotland and Rush, pens the script. Both come together and give it absolute quality. The story's main character is the cocky and arrogant, yet undoubtedly talented Brian Clough (Michael Sheen). It shows his 44-day reign as the coach of Leeds United, one of the top clubs in England, and has flashbacks of how he got there. Clough made his name prior to taking the helm at Leeds by bringing glory to their rivals Derby County. Clough takes the reins from a person he hates, celebrated coach Don Revie (Colm Meaney), who has decided to end his reign to take the job as England manager. The film goes back and forth between Clough's rough time alone at Leeds and the successful time he had, with his assistant coach Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall), at Derby. The film strongly depicts a relationship between closest friends and dearest rivals. It is one that will probably not show up on most people's radars, but if it pops up should never be missed. The end product is something special. And given its topic and indie status, it pleasantly surprises and is something all can enjoy and learn from.

hbaird-609-716575 For me, in addition to the fine writing, acting and directing, "The Damned United" was a movie to cause some self-reflection as I saw myself in the character of Brian Clough. The self pride and arrogance that results from fixating on a particular goal for vengeful purposes which, in my professional life, I have been guilty of myself.The collateral damage caused to the ones who care about you in those circumstances can be devastating and result in the loss of friendships. Thankfully in the case of Mr. Clough it is eventually a lesson learned but even then comes the rebuilding of bridges.This movie has become one of my favorites as I was able to apply the moral to my own self in a way that can have a positive result while entertaining me with all the humor, drama, action and emotional passion that is the mark of a solidly good film.Although I feel that the movie is presented in a manner that provides entertainment to a wide scoping audience, fans of European Soccer as well as fans of competitive sports overall would particularly appreciate this movie.

paul2001sw-1 Brian Clough was an enigma: a man whose record as a football manager was (given the resources at his disposal) second to none, but who relied on his assistant Peter Taylor to spot players, had no great technical expertise and whose approach to man management was decidedly eccentric. He was brilliantly quick minded but also an alcoholic; a supposed socialist who was accused of taking unauthorised commissions on transactions; and a man who went to Leeds United, a club he hated, and was famously sacked in just 44 days. David Peace's ambitious novel, 'The Damned United', offers one imaginative take on Clough's psychology during this period; but as a film, it's a poor effort. Michael Sheen, Tony Blair in a number of other screenplays by writer Pter Morgan, doesn't quite convince as Clough, and makes him seen more like a blustering fool than an intelligent man. Of course, that famous Graham Taylor documentary may have punctured our illusions about so-called football genius; but still, I was looking for some clue as to what Clough did well (except, of course, at Leeds) and didn't get it. Bad wigs abound. And Clough's complex relationship with Taylor is reduced to a piece of routine male bonding, with Tomothy Spall playing Talor as a man with the charisma of a lead balloon and whose importance to Clough remains totally mystifying. From Peace's book, one gets a view of a talented and ambitious man who over-reached himself, an unique individual both arrogant and exposed. This translation lacks the depth; and sadly, therefore, also the point.