Taika Waititi brings his trademark humor and wit to a heartwarming true story of not achieving sports greatness. Next Goal Wins, adapted from the documentary by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, captures the infectious spirit and accepting culture of the American Samoa national football team. They were publicly humiliated in 2001 with a 31-0 drubbing at the hands of Australia. It still ranks as the worst defeat in FIFA history. Next Goal Wins chronicles the efforts of Tavita Taumua (Oscar Kightley), head of the Football Federation of American Samoa (FFAS), to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. A miracle by any stretch of the imagination, he just wants the beleaguered team to score one measly goal in international competition.
Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), a renowned former Dutch player and Major League Soccer (MLS) coach, sits nervously in front of a panel from the US Soccer Federation. His on-field outbursts and drunken antics have landed him in serious trouble. It doesn’t help that his ex-wife, Gail (Elisabeth Moss), is dating the obnoxious president, Alex Magnussen (Will Arnett). Thomas blinks in disbelief as he’s fired. His last vestige of happiness and purpose has been taken away.
Meanwhile, in American Samoa, Tavita makes a silly bet that the team won’t be shut out in a friendly match. His sharpie-marked face doesn’t get any laughs from the downtrodden players after the game. Losing doesn’t bother Tavita. It’s the fact that they’re so spectacularly incapable of any offense. They need a real coach if there’s a chance whatsoever of becoming competitive.
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Michael Fassbender as Thomas Rongen
Release Date November 17, 2023
Director Taika Waititi
Cast Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Rhys Darby, Will Arnett, Angus Sampson
Rating PG-13
Runtime 1hr 43min
Thomas drags himself out of an inebriated stupor to accept Gail’s call. He’s got one chance left, but it’ll be on the other side of the world. Thomas arrives despondently at the beautiful island nation. He’s met by Tavita, who’s doing triple duty as a cameraman welcoming visitors, driving a tour bus, and leading the FFAS. He happily informs Thomas that every native has multiple jobs, a fact recognized when Tavita also serves him lunch as the owner of a local restaurant.
Thomas is stupefied at the team’s first practice. They’re worse than he could have ever imagined. His yelling, fiery temperament, and abrasive attitude rattles the gentle players. The situation gets worse when Jaiyah Saelua (Kaimana) arrives, a fa’afafine, third-gender player who takes hormones, but is considered male by FIFA and allowed to participate. Thomas’ insulting behavior towards Jaiyah sparks a confrontation. Tavita must figure out a way to motivate his coach and team, or they’re doomed from the start.
Next Goal Wins never shies away from sports clichés. The underdog fighting valiantly for victory is a known commodity we’ve all seen before countless times. Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows, Thor: Ragnarök) isn’t trying to remake Rudy. American Samoa, its wonderful people, and the team’s lovable players are the focus. Their upbeat personalities can’t help but affect a curmudgeonly Thomas. His annoyance at the current predicament masks a deep personal tragedy. It made a troubled man worse and left him unable to cope with conflict. His dismissal of the players, Jaiyah especially, takes a 180-degree turn as he learns the folly of arrogance and anger.
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A Culture of Acceptance
Searchlight Pictures
Thomas isn’t a raging transphobe. His initial ugliness towards Jaiyah stems from pure ignorance. He doesn’t believe they have the ability, drive, and toughness required to compete against the machismo-fueled international players. Scenes of Jaiyah being taunted and ridiculed on the pitch forces an internal reckoning. Thomas realizes that Jaiyah is no different, does belong, and deserves respect. Their friendship shows that even the most disparate people can find common ground. Trans athletes have become an extremely divisive issue in our polarized country. The American Samoans’ unconditional treatment of the faʻafafine, which also includes those who define themselves as non-binary, drives a narrative that teaches compassion.
Fassbender exhibits considerable range in an unexpected performance. An actor known for heavy drama and action fits effortlessly into a comedic role. Thomas’ bumpy acclimation to native life ranges from disbelief to downright confusion. He’s the proverbial straight man thrust into a wacky setting, but it’s not all kicks and giggles. You can’t make friends and inspire confidence by being a jerk. Thomas’ empathy grows as he adopts team values. It allows him to face the demons that ruined his marriage and promising career.
Searchlight Pictures
Waititi takes a relaxed approach to filming the football matches. Events on the sidelines, stands, and among the locals are equally important. Tavita cheering on his son (Beulah Koale) while being badgered by his wife (Rachel House) gets big laughs. Waititi also cuts to reaction shots of the natives throughout. They love and respect their team but don’t give them a chance in hell. It’s a source of national pride when they actually stop sucking.
Naysayers will decry the film as predictable with obvious feel-good intentions. Waititi’s outcome is never in doubt. Football, soccer to us Yanks, is just a part of the film’s agenda. Next Goal Wins embraces tolerance, respects others, and has more than a few laughs along the way.
Next Goal Wins is produced by Imaginarium Productions, Defender Films, and Garrett Basch. It will be released theatrically on November 17th from Searchlight Pictures. You can watch the trailer below:
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