Floodlights (2022) -
I hate football! I firmly believe that it has become far too important in a world that needs to recognise poverty and education, but allocates ridiculous amounts of money to man-children who fall over more than they will ever score a goal, but I wanted to see this story for Gerard Kearns who I had appreciated in 'Shameless' (2004-10).
I think that if footballers had a more real presence in the world and were more free to be themselves, not some image that they are forced to present, it could make a huge difference in the world for all sorts of tolerance and acceptance across the board. I'd love to see the England team play against the top gay team in Britain (I probably wouldn't watch it, but I'd appreciate the message being sent out) or to see a straight footballer dancing with another man on 'Strictly Come Dancing' (2004-) to show that the LGBTQ+ community is valid, because we need to see the toxic masculinity taken out of the game and replaced with a more worldly wise masculinity that understands everyone's place on the planet.
Obviously that inclusion wouldn't stretch to predatory paedophiles, but a more open environment would help the victims of these crimes feel able to come forward, because it wouldn't have such a stigma and wouldn't give them a feeling that they would be looked down upon as lesser men. It was brave for Andy Woodward to eventually tell of his experiences, but how many others have suffered needlessly and silently, before and since?
While this was a good film and seemed to represent the ordeal carefully and with great thought and consideration, it was also one that easily turned my stomach. I live in a bubble as much as possible, so I try to avoid watching upsetting things if I can, especially when I'm feeling low. It's because of people like Barry Bennell and the other horrors out there that I avoid the news and emotional films about cancer, apocalypse or general injustice, trauma or tragedy as a whole. I hate the world we live in, where people can still get away with so much for so long, but it was nice to see that there was some justice as a result of Andy and a previous lad coming forward with their tales.
It was awful to think about all of the people that had turned a blind eye for so long too and I had to wonder how they felt about themselves after it all came to light, even if they weren't so sure about every detail.
I have always felt sorry for the actors that have to play such awful perverts, because it must be difficult to give a good performance whilst worrying that you'll never get work again because you played a creep too accurately and Jonas Armstrong did do it very well.
In fact all three of the lead actors, playing the sex offender and the two ages of Andy, gave very good performances, potentially Oscar worthy in my eyes, if it gets put forward.
It was a well put together piece about "The Beautiful Game" and the dark side of it, that is still relatively hidden and needs to be addressed.
660.21/1000.
