Audience Member
Produced and directed by Mary McGuckian (The Bridge of San Luis Rey (2004)), this was a biopic that she worked on with actor John Lynch, and it took 5 years to bring to the screen, and it had problems along the way, such as financiers backing out and limited time to make it, and it shows. It had the blessing of it's subject when they started, but he was horrified at the final result, and rightfully so. This tells the life story of George Best (Lynch), who was spotted by scout Bob Bishop (Jim Sheridan), who sends news to his boss at Manchester United, Matt Busby (Ian Bannen), who takes on Best. He proves to be a brilliant talent on the field, but off the pitch, he lives the life of luxury. He has a girlfriend Anna (Patsy Kensit) and they are due to marry, but Best, under the influence of drink, goes off with model Eva Haraldsted (Sophie Dahl). There begins his downward spiral, his team mates at Man Utd. turn against him for being unreliable and not turning up for training, and he gets into trouble with the police and the worlds press as well. It could have been a good film, but caught short by the budget, the makers were forced to film most of it on the Isle of Man. Plus, no amount of cameos, here from the likes of Ian Hart, Adrian Lester, Stephen Fry and Roger Daltrey, can hide up the multitude of sins left behind by this cack handed biopic.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
02/05/23
Full Review
simon d
George Best's biopic. How alcohol, women, and gambling ruined the prospects of one of the UK's most promising footballers. This film would have been better being made ten years later after Best had drank himself into a liver transplant and then went out and drank himself to death, then this film would have been about addiction rather than a playboy. The casting was pretty spot on, especially for the other players.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A general biography of George Best's footballing career in Manchester both on and off the field, but extremely well presented, especially in the editing as the intercut playing action throughout doesn't feel forced.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/06/23
Full Review
Audience Member
George Best was a footballing genius but this film is just a complete sack of shit and should be sent off to the football film scrap heap.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
01/12/23
Full Review
Audience Member
I was expecting a nostalgic trip down through the history of the legend that is George Best. But instead of a celebration of his life, the film overly concerned itself with the ins and outs of what he actually got up to during his drinking binges and dark times. What would have been a lot more interesting would have been to focus on how his behaviour affected all those around him.
The film depicts Best as everybody chasing him out of Old Trafford due to his excessive drinking, and while this is true to some degree, the larger truth is that most people still loved him in spite of his behaviour. I think the film overlooks this aspect. There was also a bizarre casting decision with Jerome Flynn playing Bobby Charlton.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/26/23
Full Review
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