Next Goal Wins

Let's cut to the chase.

The narrative ball is in the wrong court with Taika Waititi's soccer dramedy Next Goal Wins. A few other reviews have accused the film of barely developing its real-life team with one major exception. They're far more interesting than their coach, Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), whom the film actually follows.

In 2001, the American Samoa national team lost to Australia in the World Cup Qualifying Matches an astonishing 31-0. This certified their place as the world's worst soccer team. They're still losers ten years on. Tavita (Oscar Knightley), the head of the American Samoa Soccer Federation, decides to look outside the island for a new coach. Rongen is soon assigned to the job. Rongen's task is to ensure his team scores at least 1 goal in the next World Cup Qualifier.  

Rongen is out of his element on the island. He's completely ignorant of their culture, particularly "curfew time," where everyone stops and prays. His harsh coaching style and foul temper doesn't win him many fans on the team. He only has a few short weeks to make them better, if not perfect. The film's most significant player is the fa'afafine (third gender in Samoan culture) Jaiyah Saeluna (Kaimana), an eventual trans soccer pioneer. Her and Rongen's relationship is initially rough, but she helps him lighten up, and he involves her in his winning strategy.

This is a narrative remake of Mike Brett & Steve Jamison's 2014 documentary of the same name. Waititi, as a goofy priest, tells us up front that the story has "a couple of embellishments along the way." I sure hope one of them is the portrayal of Rongen, whose inflated ego makes him rather difficult to root for here. He deliberately deadnames Jaiyah, just because he can, until she tackles him. Their eventual reconciliation falls a little flat. He gets a few likable moments, but his tragic backstory is revealed way late into the film. 

Jaiyah, on the other hand, is a far more compelling character. Her radiant personality makes her popular with her teammates and, hopefully, the audience. She helps Rongen recruit a few key players, including goalie Nicky Salapu (Uli Latukefu), a veteran of the 2001 team looking for a comeback. She still struggles to maintain her soccer career despite her changing biology, which leads to an emotional breakdown. Her eventual triumph is somewhat undermined by the film positioning the climactic seconds as flashbacks (long story). She's still the film's best character.

A few more MVPs include Officer "Rambo" (Semu Filipo), whose strong kick gets him scouted by Rongen; fellow player Daru (Beulah Koale), who is also Tavita's son; and Ace (David Fane), the former coach who gets a good gag when he (quietly) berates his team at the start. Rongen's daughter, Nicole (Kaitlyn Dever), plays a major part in his backstory. On the other hand, Rongen's estranged wife Gail (Elizabeth Moss) and her new beau, Alex Magnussen (Will Arnett), are just there. 

Next Goal Wins could have been better. It could have switched protagonists, adjusted its current one, or even kept its dramedic tone more consistent. It gets a bit sillier when Waititi shows up as the priest. Its glimpses into American Samoan life are interesting, even if they are brief. See it if you want, but hurry if you do; it might get benched rather soon.