I wanted to enjoy this but after reading a bit about the life of the real Eddie (Michael) it was hard to watch knowing how unrealistic it was.
In the film Eddie just decides in a second to become a ski jumper when in reality he made the decision for reasons of cost and easier qualification as there were no other British ski jumpers with whom to compete for a place. The film's makers seem to want to make Eddie look like someone who is almost retarded in this movie, I'm guessing to gain sympathy? He was a good downhill skier and he narrowly missed the Great Britain team for that event for the 1984 Games, he was not patted on the head and sent packing because he was a goof ball.
The film shows Eddie just going to Germany and training himself and by a drunk has-been when in reality he went to Lake Placid NY and was trained by professionals. He was not forced to re-qualify by the British Olympic Committee nor did he go on the European circuit.
Hugh Jackman's character is not a real person.
Christopher Walken's Coach character is not a real person.
Eddie was not hazed by his co-Olympians and did not miss the opening ceremony (sad that they would take this away from him for a film)
While the real Eddie is a fan of the film, he said that "only about 5%" of Eddie the Eagle is a true story.
I feel sorry for anyone who goes to movies like this and walks out thinking this was the real life story, but sadly it happens all the time. Filmmakers can't seem to make a bio movie based on reality.
In the film Eddie just decides in a second to become a ski jumper when in reality he made the decision for reasons of cost and easier qualification as there were no other British ski jumpers with whom to compete for a place. The film's makers seem to want to make Eddie look like someone who is almost retarded in this movie, I'm guessing to gain sympathy? He was a good downhill skier and he narrowly missed the Great Britain team for that event for the 1984 Games, he was not patted on the head and sent packing because he was a goof ball.
The film shows Eddie just going to Germany and training himself and by a drunk has-been when in reality he went to Lake Placid NY and was trained by professionals. He was not forced to re-qualify by the British Olympic Committee nor did he go on the European circuit.
Hugh Jackman's character is not a real person.
Christopher Walken's Coach character is not a real person.
Eddie was not hazed by his co-Olympians and did not miss the opening ceremony (sad that they would take this away from him for a film)
While the real Eddie is a fan of the film, he said that "only about 5%" of Eddie the Eagle is a true story.
I feel sorry for anyone who goes to movies like this and walks out thinking this was the real life story, but sadly it happens all the time. Filmmakers can't seem to make a bio movie based on reality.