BASSETT'S ALLSORTS OF FOOTIE FUN (Mike Bassett: England Manager (DVD))

Member Name: snappy

Product:	Mike Bassett: England Manager (DVD)
Date:	24/10/01 (220 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: very well observed, done documentary style, fall about funny at times, great for football fans...

Disadvantages: ..wasted on those who dont like football

To borrow a quote from the bard Wiliam Shakespeare - “Some are born Great. Some achieve Greatness and some have Greatness thrust upon them”. Well it’s the latter for Mike Bassett, humble Manager of First Division Norwich City who answers his country’s call to take over as England Manager.

Because the current Boss has been rushed to hospital with a heart attack, the FA are forced to rush to appoint a successor. With just three English managers in the Premier League – none of whom are interested, they plump for Mr Bassett. And the scene is set for a glorious reign as National Team Boss – NOT !!

This all British film stars The Royle Family’s Ricky Tomlinson, brilliantly cast as the hapless Mike Bassett. It is done in a documentary style along the lines of that epic rock spoof ‘Spinal Tap’. Just as ‘Tap’ was done well and keenly observed, so ‘Bassett’ is not only funny, but cleverly drawn, with characters based on various soccer ‘idols’ you all know and love.

The film follows the fortunes of this tubby unknown as the media spotlight is shone fully on him. Real life TV Reporter Martin Bashir periodically crops up to take Mike aside and ask him for his current thoughts, as the film follows his highs (if there are any) and lows (yes, lots).

At times he acts just like he is a ‘rabbit caught in headlights’. His grasp of the international football scene and the complicated playing system is basically – NIL. He insists on doing it his way and adopts the 4-4-2 system. Despite being told it won’t work in Internationals. He surrounds himself with oddballs. Selects a used car salesman, Lonnie Urquart (Philip Jackson) as his Number 2. He is more concerned with trying to flog the latest Hyundai to players already sporting a Lotus! There’s a job too for Dave Dodds (Bradley Walsh) as team Coach and the consummate ‘yes man
’.

Bassett’s most controversial team selections include bringing back soccer legend Kevin ‘Tonka’ Tonkinson (Dean Lennox Kelly) – those of you in the know will identify him as a Gazza clone, but a very OTT one! His team skipper too is hard man, hard nut defender whose international record so far is Played 25 games – finished 3! Yes, he get sent off a lot. Much travelled real-life soccer player Phil Gridelet (now with Ryman League Hendon FC, but previous League clubs include Southend Utd, Peterborough Utd and Barnet) does a good job in creating this character, one who later in the film is seen on TV by his teammates leading the England ‘thug’ hoardes against a fleeing Riot Police - ”That’s our bloody skipper that is – hey Go on, Give ‘em some!” shouts Tonka animatedly at the hotel TV screen.

There are a few other familiar faces in this film with Guest appearances from such as Atomic Kitten, Pele and Eric Cantona. Plus those of you who follow soccer soap ‘Dream Team’ on Sky One would also recognise Terry Kiely – 'Fletch in Dream Team’ – as one of the players constantly on his mobile to his wife (makes a change I thought most top players were always on the phone to their Agents?!)

There aren’t many films around – except the plethora of Teen flicks – that have real belly laugh moments. This is one of them. There is some outrageous comedy and one or two scenes that may give your Grandma a fright (like in the Team bath as ‘Tonka’ does his bit to make it a ‘jacuzzi’ until...I’ll say no more!)

If I’m honest, much of the joy of this film would be lost if you Hate football. If that describes you – don’t bother watching it. If you are a fan you will love it. I’ve met only two people that have seen the film and claim to have not enjoyed it – I can only
assume they watched it in the back row of the Cinema whilst trying unsuccessfully to ‘pork’ their girlfriends!

England may have had to scrape the ‘bottom of the barrel’ to find Mike Bassett, but I can assure you that barrel will be full of laughs. You can still catch this at the Cinema, although the effect won’t be lost if you have to wait for the Video. It’s Good!

Summary: