Football serves as the backdrop to Goal!, a slickly-directed Hollywood sports movie with a typical rags-to-riches storyline.
Directed by Danny Cannon, the film stars Mexico-born actor Kuno Becker as Santiago, a poor young man living in Los Angeles. His extraordinary football talents are spotted by Glen Foy (Stephen Dillane), a Newcastle United scout.
With Foy's encouragement, Santiago moves to Newcastle and embarks on a football odyssey rife with obstacles and temptation.
The story is predictable and most of the characters are stereotypes. The film's major appeal lies in the lively action sequences which combine real footage from Premiership games with action scenes played by the actors. Few football movies take audiences as deep into the action, and the result is stunningly authentic.
Becker is convincing as a determined young man who succeeds despite setbacks both on and off the pitch. Alessandro Nivola also does well as Gavin, a flamboyant player with a playboy lifestyle and Santiago's best friend.
Goal! is the first part of a trilogy catering to the football craze in the run-up to next year's World Cup. While it's not a great sports movie, its appeal to football fanatics is irresistible.