The Awkward and The Inspiring: "Eddie The Eagle" Review

When I first saw the trailer for Eddie the Eagle, (based on a true story) I was intrigued. I used my tools for deciding if it was worth watching, and ultimately decided to watch it using Vidangel. My daughter and I decided to have a girl's night of it and played with hair as we watched. (I have to say, that doing Research and Development for this blog is a blast!)

I really liked it. This is a tale of Eddie, a boy who doctors were unsure would even walk, but with a lot of hard work (and a little luck), he ended up in the Calgary Olympic games for ski jumping. This Rudy-esque movie is full of unwavering persistence and quiet self confidence.

But I'm not going to lie, it is pretty painful to watch sometimes. Eddie's crashes made my neck hurt just watching them, and at times his mannerisms and social graces left you feeling a bit horrified, yet awe struck at the same time. Katie said it best when she said, "I can't decide if this guy is awesome or crazy." I think he was both-sometimes those who are passionate often look like weirdos to the rest of us.

Eddie is obviously out of his skill set, but with the help of a "has been" ski jumper, and support from his mom, Eddie finally achieved his goal of going to the Winter Olympics and inspired the world in the process. This is a feel-good movie which shows that often the  struggle is more important than the end result.

*Warning! (And a spoiler.)*

I am a total Special Features nut. I love hearing "the rest of the story". But since rented movies don't have that option, I did a google search after the movie. Urgh. There is a significant difference in the real story and the movie. So, the family discussion guide will have two parts: one for just the movie, and one based off the information found here and here.

Family Discussion Guide
Movie only:
-Are some dreams too big? What about being realistic?
-Why do you think that going through something hard (for example, being in leg braces) often sets us up for success in other areas of our life?
-Why didn't the British Olympic Committee want Eddie on the team?
-Would you want to be Eddie's friend, or would you think he was weird and would embarrass you?
-Why was Eddie's mom so supportive, and his dad not?
-What was the difference between Peary's and Eddie's approaches towards the sport, and even life, for that matter?
-Could it be a bad thing if something is too easy for us?
-With all of the opposition Eddie received, why didn't he quit? What kept him going?
-Why did Eddie's story resonate and become so popular?
-Did winning really matter?
-How can you MAKE opportunities to help you come closer to your dreams like Eddie did?


Website Info:
-Why do you think Hollywood changed Eddie's story?
-Which story do you like better?
-What does "trust but verify" mean? How could it have been applied to Eddie's money management?
-What sacrifices did Eddie make to achieve his dream?
-How would you describe Eddie's personality and his outlook on life?
-Do you think the other Olympians had a right to be upset at Eddie?

*Note: as always, please check the content of this and other movies at www.commonsensemedia.org or kids-in-mind.com before you watch it to make sure you feel it is appropriate for your family.

Community Question: Are you a skier or a non-skier? (I'm so clumsy, I'm a non-skier!)