the DAmned United
As someone who doesn't give a toss about football, English or otherwise, I found this film engaging primarily due to the performances and the sense of time that was covered...the 70's in Northern England. It seemed like their was an innocence to the time that belied the incredible ambition of its character Brian Clough, Derby Manager. I supposed the writer's were looking for a little Greek tragedy in Mr. Sheen's characterization... it was found... but not such an important issue for me...still Mr. Sheen's performance was terrific, though it was hard not to constantly compare it to his David Frost in Frost Nixon and look for overlaps... it's hard when you play so big. For Timothy Spall, his subdued character was a relief, though perhaps it seemed even more subdued due to Sheen's excess.
Still, I liked it ... I'm a girl. As someone who is not up on British politics of the time, I couldn't find any meaningful metaphors, barring the one popular ruler--don't get too big for your boots