Hellen
I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much
Teddie Blake
The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin
The movie really just wants to entertain people.
Ed Mortensen (imdb-4314)
Comparing this film (categorized as a comedy) with other queer comedy titles throws off the potential viewer.While possibly droll in a few parts, Eleven Men doesn't raise even a wry chuckle.What this film does do is track the fallout of a professional soccer player and his family (parents, siblings, ex-wife and child) along with the interactions in his soccer club (old and new) when that player announces that he is gay.While working hard to not be political or for/against the gay cause, the player's new team can't help but be caught up in the hype of their new gay player and the stigma it throws on the team.Not as dry as a documentary, but not as light as an American attempt at the same material. Interesting more than entertaining. Good, just not fun.
missjoho-1
Warning, potential spoilers...Eleven Men Out is a rare European film, and one that doesn't play for the big laughs or go for the obvious moments. Director Robert Douglas, paints a knowing and fun look at a side of Icelandic culture that few outside of the country will know. Using his previous deadpan approach, the comedic moments come from his unique skill at characterising and recognising the odd quirks that make up every day people. He takes great joy in turning stereotypes on their heads; in one gay sex scene, the lead actor is having anal sex with his teammate on the living room sofa, when his 13 year old son comes in, catches them at it, and shrieks 'fucking perverts', while dad just replies matter of factly, 'Hi son, what're you doing here?'. This is the kind of humour that is rife throughout Eleven Men Out, but sometimes, the comedy can be so deadpan, that you do have to pay attention, or you will miss it.The ending too, isn't quite as you would imagine. Again, Douglas takes an almost gleeful approach, deliberately toying with audience expectations to then deliver a low key, but yet satisfying, conclusion. My only warning is to say that this is not an Icelandic Bend It Like Beckham, a story of how the underdog does good, so if you go in not expecting that, you should enjoy this. My last comment on this subject - any film about football which doesn't actually contain hardly any scenes of football, wins my vote! Douglas is a brilliant and challenging filmmaker who, only in his early thirties now, already holds the title as one of Iceland's top film directors. I look forward to seeing what he produces in the next few years and hope that his work starts reaching global audiences.
rasecz
The film wastes no time getting to the meat of the story: a successful player in one of Iceland's top soccer teams reveals to the press that he is homosexual. That revelation and how it is done produces the only good laugh. For the remainder of this gay caper, the humor goes flat. (Humor is of course cultural. Maybe in Iceland they find the film funny.) The real underlying comedy is how the main character's homosexuality is the object of virulent reproach while the wife's chronic drunkenness is almost accepted as normal. As can be expected of such light fare, all ends in a positive mood and with a big hurrah for gay pride.
Jamester
I saw this at the Toronto International Film Festival with the director present.This was a fun ride. This Icelandic film about a gay athlete that comes out to his team and family outlines the follow-up pressures in a fun, light, and at times serious tone. This mix was a great balance for a drama/comedy making it highly accessible. Not only do we see the immediate implications from his outing, but the athlete takes strong action to get on with his life and to help those around him accept the simple fact that he's gay -- which is no big deal to him, but which is evidently a big deal to so many people around him. This keeps you rooting for things to work out, and for his family, friends and fellow athletes to simply accept this part of him and get on with it -- including their own lives.The overall disfunctionality of everyone creates characters that are at times caricatures, but that really add a light and well-rounded touch to this work. In fact, being caricatures adds a nice touch of depth to the overall character developmnet. I'm glad the characters were lightened up as this resulted in some humour that really made this film work.Overall, I had a fun time watching this. I hope you do as well!
