Goal!

Aroview: A gifted Hispanic teenager (Becker) fulfils his dream to play soccer, leaving East Los Angeles for a prized spot on the Newcastle United team and an inevitable trajectory towards participating in the Premiership final.

Propelled by a plotline of strictly formulaic wish-fulfillment, this gains genuine kudos from authentic locations, some nicely filmed game footage and a convincing performance by Nivola as a hedonistic striker who parties too hard the night before the game. Chocka with likeable performances (including romantic option Friel) and cameos from the likes of David Beckham, this makes up for its lack of originality with insider enthusiasm.

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