SIXTY-SIX

Starring:
Eddie Marsan, Helena Bonham Carter, Stephen Rea, Peter Serafinowicz, Catherine Tate and Gregg Sulkin

Director:
Paul Weiland

Running Time:
93 mins

 

 

 

"You don't think England will win do you?"

For any 12 year-old Jewish boy the Bar Mitzvah is the most important day their lives. For Bernie Reuben (Sulkin) this is the day that he has been looking forward to for the whole of his life. He has it planned to perfection and he knew that this was going to be the biggest event of the summer of 1966. What he didn't realise is that his Bar Mitzvah just happens to fall on the same day as the World Cup final but England are not good enough to go all the way, are they?

For most British football (soccer) fans the summer of 1966 is the most holy time in their sporting history but imagine if the day of the final fell on the most import religious day of your life what would you do?

30th July 1966 is the day that England fans, whatever age, knows is the day that their national team won the biggest price in football. The names Gordon Banks, George Cohen, Ray Wilson, Norman Hunter, Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Alan Ball, Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Bobby Moore are forever immortalised in the English football folklore. This is still the biggest day in England's sporting history and one that every one who was alive at the time knew what they were doing. Imagine if that day were special to you for another reason however, who would remember that?

This is the problem that Bernie Reuben faces when his Bar Mitzvah falls on the same day as the final. When the story begins Bernie and his friends and family are sure that even though his special day falls on the day of the final, England won't get to the final anyway. When the team start playing well and the nation becomes caught on the wave of euphoria and expectation, it becomes apparent that Bernie might not actually get the Bar Mitzvah he has been dreaming of, meaning his step into adulthood might be a pretty small one.

Combining one of the greatest events in England's football history and the most important day in a young Jewish person's life produces a film that is full of heart and some very funny laughs. Bernie's attempts to jinx or even hex the England team more funny and moving, as he sees his dream Bar Mitzvah start to fall away. As he narrates the story, we also see how his family how his general store working family struggle to cope with the competition from the new supermarket. Each of the storylines is handled extremely well, with just right amount of emotion and laughter.

Bringing the heart-warming story to life is an excellent ensemble cast. Better know as a supporting character actor Eddie Marsan is starting to make an impact as a gifted dramatic and in this case comedic actor. Playing the overly cautious father Manny Reuben, the character is unintentionally funny as he his cautiousness makes him very proud and very of the time. Helena Bonham Carter and Stephen Rea have smaller but important roles as Bernie's mother Esther and Dr. Barrie, who becomes Bernie's confidant and friend. There is also good support from comedian Catherine Tate as Aunty Lila and Peter Serafinowicz as Uncle Jimmy. Stealing the show however is the performance of Gregg Sulkin as Bernie Reuben. Making his motion picture debut, he makes the character of Bernie extremely easy to get behind, even though you know he is fighting a losing battle. He is another fine example of a child actor who can carry a film and is definitely a star in the making.

'Sixty-Six' is a little gem of a movie. With a heart-felt story that is filled with plenty of moments that will make you smile and set against the backdrop of the most famous event in English sporting history, this a movie that is bound to become a firm favourite for football fans and comedy fans for years to come.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well.

BONUS FEATURES

Director's Commentary
The man at the helm provides a funny commentary track that outlines how the film completely reflects his own childhood, his approach to the movie and recreating the euphoria of England in 1966. Casting is also discussed, the performances of the youngster highlighted. This is a good single person commentary that fans of the film will really enjoy.

OVERALL

The lack of featurettes will come as a disappointment to fans of the movie. While the commentary is good, this is the only special feature on the DVD but viewer now expect more from their DVD releases.

DVD

Little Miss Sunshine


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2006