Watch Eddie the Eagle

Eddie the Eagle is a 2015 biographical sports comedy-drama, directed by Dexter Fletcher, based on the true story of Michael Edwards, also known as Eddie Edwards – a British ski jumper who competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada, and became an instant icon. The film stars Taron Egerton as the titular character, Hugh Jackman as Eddie's coach, and Tom Costello as the young Eddie. The supporting cast includes Christopher Walken, Jim Broadbent, and Tim McInnerny. The movie is set in England, where we see an enthusiastic and ambitious young man, Eddie, who has always dreamt of being an Olympian. He has been trying his luck at various sports ranging from running hurdles to downhill skiing. However, his efforts have all failed. He then realizes that the only way to achieve his dream is through ski jumping. Eddie starts training on his own in small hills around England but fails terribly. Despite discouragement and mockery from fellow skiers, he continues to train on his own. Eddie's father, played by Broadbent, is unsupportive of his dream and insists that he should be a plasterer like him. On the other hand, Eddie's mother, played by Jo Hartley, believes in him and encourages him to pursue his dreams. Determined to make it to the Olympics, Eddie heads to Germany to perfect his skills. There he meets Bronson Peary, played by Hugh Jackman, an ex-Olympic champion who is now a drunken snow groomer. Peary, who was once a talented ski jumper, had turned his back on the sport after his coach betrayed him. Initially, Peary is unwilling to help Eddie, but Eddie's passion and determination to succeed inspires him to coach him. Peary trains him rigorously, helping him overcome his fear of skiing and encouraging him to improve his skills. Together they try to raise funds to enable Eddie to participate in the Winter Olympics by entering him in various competitions around Europe. At the Olympics, Eddie finds himself up against fierce competition from other ski jumpers, including those from Norway and Austria. But Eddie's persistence and determination are his greatest strengths, and he endears himself to the audience and the press. He arises a media sensation, not for his ability to win medals, but for his never-say-die attitude and his perception that it is not just about winning. Despite being an underdog and not winning a single medal, Eddie is celebrated for his courage and sees his Olympic experience as a personal victory. A fitting ending shows the real Eddie jumping again for his own pleasure at a local ski resort. The film does an excellent job of portraying Michael Edwards/Eddie Edwards as not just the underdog of the Olympics, but also as a person who fit into neither the traditional mold of an athlete nor the outdated notions of class expectations. The captivating performances of the cast members, along with a fabulous 1980s soundtrack, provide an entertaining film with a real sense of heart. Overall, Eddie the Eagle is a perfect blend of humor, heart, and inspiration that tells an uplifting story of an ordinary man who dared to dream big and goes on to become an extraordinary hero not only in his country but around the world.