Hooray! A movie about sports that doesn't end with a triumphant game!
"The Damned United," a superior film about a haunted, fatally flawed man, is an exciting story about English soccer, specifically about Brian Clough, a genius while he was coaching and winning at little Derby County but when he moved up in class to coach Leeds United, he self-destructed. The film is based on an episode in the life of Clough, who died in 2004.
It's a triumph for Michael Sheen, once again playing an Englishman in superb style (remember him as David Frost in "Frost/Nixon?"). With Timothy Spall as Peter Taylor, his loyal assistant coach and defender against all enemies, Sheen portrays Clough as a combination of Al Davis, Vince Lombardi and Don Shula, not against bending the rules when victory is hanging in the balance, and always a step ahead in finding talent and being a superb leader and tactician. Taylor was the detail man, his own ego subordinate to Clough until Clough goes too far and Taylor leaves him just as Clough is about to step into a brighter spotlight.
Clough's over-the-top ego and quick temper often blinded him to reality, but for many years he challenged — and usually defeated — anyone who stood in his way. His battles against Sam Longson, the team chairman of Derby, produced some epic struggles, and watching Sheen and Jim Broadbent go toe to toe is thrilling.
Colm Meany also is excellent as Don Revie, the Leeds coach who stepped up to run the English national team, leaving a space for Clough to fill. But Revie's accomplishments remain in memory, and his success sticks in Clough's craw, becoming larger and stickier as he faces his own failures.
Peter Morgan's screenplay, from David Peace's book, is straightforward and fast-moving, and Tom Hooper directed with style, seamlessly cutting televised moments from long-ago games into the story without missing a beat. It's a fine film, showing the passion that the English have for their own form of football.
Opens today at the Plaza Frontenac
–Joe