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Netflix viewers have been warned they’ll be holding back tears after a ‘heartwarming’ film based on a true story has been made available on the platform in time for the Easter bank holiday weekend. The Beautiful Game – which tells the story squad of English homeless footballers, at the global annual football tournament, the Homeless World Cup – was added to Netflix on Friday March 29 and has already earned praise from watchers.
Bill Nighy plays the role of the squad’s coach, Mal, who attempts to lead the team to world glory at the tournament in Rome. Meanwhile, Micheal Ward – who previously drew praise for his portrayal of Jamie in gritty crime drama Top Boy – plays troubled but talented striker Vinny.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter , users were quick to praise the film, posting: ‘What a beautiful movie. ‘But I warn you … have a box of tissues nearby when watching this because you may shed a tear or two.’
‘Everyone go and watch The Beautiful Game.. out on Netflix today!! So heartwarming, special and important’. Film producer Katie Sinclair, who worked on the film, added a post of her own, which read: ‘The Beautiful Game is out today on Netflix. The last production I worked on in my old job to be released. ‘A pure Easter family watch. Challenge yourself not to cry. Based on an incredible real organisation’.
While the film is inspired by the real Homeless World Cup, and was made in co-operation with and supported by the tournament’s foundation, the events depicted in the film are fictional. Main characters coach Mal and star player Vinny are not based on the exploits of real people but were created for the movie, but the filmmakers said they did use a number of different real-life real stories to help formulate an overall script and plot.
Some individuals who the film’s characters were based off are listed as ‘running parallel’ to their fictional counterparts include manager Craig McManus and player Lisa Wrightsman.
Speaking about the film, the president and founder of the Homeless World Cup Foundation, Mel Young, said: ‘We are incredibly excited to be the focus of the upcoming film The Beautiful Game.’
‘The Homeless World Cup is our contribution to tackling the homeless problem across the globe – but there is so much more to do. ‘We have proved just how powerful football can be when it is applied to a social problem, and we will keep striving to do more.
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