Teufelskicker

If this was an English language film it would probably get a big audience in the UK, and not just from football affectionados. I still think it would go down well with older children (despite sub-titles; the film is in German) because the action sequences are excellent and the events that take place are not difficult to understand. The plot is simple, simply done and the better for it. Cliché, perhaps but aren't all good, if not great, films basically simple?

The main character, Moritz, is played by Henry Horn from the German band Apollo 3: The two other members of the band have secondary roles as players in the team. Moritz is the only child of an affluent family. I have no issue with this as to me it only serves to contrast the emotional pain he endures when early in the film his parents split up and he goes to live with his mother and maternal grandfather in another town. None of the characters appear poor in the monetary sense, but they are all suffering in other ways. Misfits forming a team, yes it's been done before and no doubt will be done again.

How it all pans out is wonderfully simple, no computer written plot twists but clever none the less. The film delivers. Sometimes it's good to have egg and frites for supper.

The movie was shot beautifully, dynamically, musically and with a special taste! A very successful picture for children and teenagers. You will not get bored and remember the immutable truth: Everything is in your power!