'The Damned United'

'The Damned United' (R) ***1/2

Writer: Peter Morgan based on the book by David Pearce
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Michael Sheen, Colm Meaney, Timothy Spall, Jim Broadbent

"The Damned United' tells a fascinating true story about something I knew nothing about but I am glad I know now. This is another great writing job by Peter Morgan who wrote "The Queen", "Frost/Nixon" and "The Last King of Scotland" and he is an outstanding writer and this is another winner. It tells the true story of Soccer coach Brian Clough who in the early 70's takes a small Dublin team and brings them glory and a championship. His main rival is the coach of Leeds United, Don Revie, who is the Dublin's team's main rival and who Clough claims plays dirty. When Clough gets a chance to take over Leeds for a retiring Revie his coaching life crumbles. This is a compelling story but this isn't really about soccer. It is about arrogance, friendship and stubbornness. There isn't many soccer scenes because the strength and heart of this film is about friendship. The friendship between Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor wonderfully played by the great Timothy Spall. This is a powerful movie about friendship and how arrogance got in the way and almost destroyed it. The acting is done by some of the best actors in the business. Besides Spall, Michael Sheen has become one of our most dependable actors giving great performances after another. Also Colm Meaney is one of my favorite actors and he gives a great understated performance. This movie has great drama, acting and and a touching and dramatic conclusion. Peter Morgan is another writer who I look forward to writing much more in the future. He has not made a wrong move yet and he makes it look easy.