In the Hands of the Gods (2007)
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85% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
83% of users liked it
(552 ratings)
If the rabid cult following generated by World Cup soccer has blossomed throughout the United States in recent decades - affording players luxuries and recognition long-imagined untenable for "footballers" - the team members of the mid-lower level leagues, by contrast, haven't yet… More If the rabid cult following generated by World Cup soccer has blossomed throughout the United States in recent decades - affording players luxuries and recognition long-imagined untenable for "footballers" - the team members of the mid-lower level leagues, by contrast, haven't yet gleaned like privileges, and must typically scrounge around for fame, recognition, and suitable monetary recompense to continue pursuing their love of the game. Such is the plight afflicting the five young men at the heart of Gabe Turner and Benjamin Turner's documentary In the Hands of the Gods. Sami Hall Bassam, Jeremy Lynch, Paul 'Woody' Wood, Danny Robinson and Mike 'Mikey' Fisher find themselves thrust together, for the first time, on the same soccer team; their differing personalities threaten to pull them in opposite directions, but they feel bound by a shared idolization of Argentine soccer demigod Diego Maradona. The common interest propels the young men to the United States, where they hope to draw an adequate fanbase, generate substantial monies by exhibiting their skills, and use that money to travel to South America for an impromptu meeting with Maradona - hoping, without saying so directly, that a simple encounter with him will cause some of his inherent magic and success to "rub off" on them. Unfortunately, while the team makes it to the U.S., conflicts soon erupt between the players, thanks in no small part to the plight of sharing small living quarters as they travel. Yet the possibility of a meeting with Maradona grows increasingly probable, first when the group raises enough money to send two of its members to Argentina, then when the media latches onto the story and opens the door for the remainder to follow. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- Directed By
- Benjamin Turner, Gabe Turner
- Genres
- Documentary, Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Sep 14, 2007 Wide
- Studio
- Lionsgate
Critic Reviews
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David Jenkins, Time Out
The film's teary-eyed conclusion is clearly intended to have you punching the air in elation, but the message it delivers will actually leave you feeling quite cold.
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Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Entertaining, likeable and surprisingly moving documentary with engaging characters and some astute observations about obsession, friendship and the pursuit of fame.
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David Gritten, Daily Telegraph
Certainly the story's climax in Buenos Aires is unexpected, yet many scenes resemble staged reality TV moments: group hugs, tears, mumbled monologues about overcoming obstacles.
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Andrew Pulver, Guardian [UK]
This trip rapidly becomes more about how they interact rather than their gravity defying ball.
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, Daily Mirror [UK]
Part road movie, part character study, here's a movie made for peanuts that outshines 75 per cent of what Hollywood churns out.
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