Best (2000)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Mary McGuckian

Writers:

John Lynch (writer)
Mary McGuckian (writer)

Release Date:

12 May 2000 (UK)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

With the world at your feet, what is there left to tackle?

Plot:

The life story of former Manchester United football legend, George Best. |

Plot Keywords:

Manchester United | Soccer Player | Soccer | Based On True Story

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

John Lynch	...	George Best
Ian Bannen	...	Sir Matt Busby
Jerome Flynn	...	Sir Bobby Charlton
Ian Hart	...	Nobby Stiles
Patsy Kensit	...	Anna
Cal Macaninch	...	Paddy
Linus Roache	...	Denis Law
Adrian Lester	...	Rocky
David Hayman	...	Tommy Dougherty / The Barman
James Ellis	...	Dickie Beal
Roger Daltrey	...	Rodney Marsh
Clive Anderson	...	Interviewer
Sophie Dahl	...	Eva Haraldsted
Stephen Fry	...	Frazer Crane
Dave Duffy	...	Limosine Driver

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Australia:M | Germany:12 | UK:15 | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Isle of Man

Company:

Best Films Ltd.

Soundtrack:

Grisette

A superficial biopic, unworthy of a sporting legend

As George Best has said, it is always difficult translating a sportsman's life to film, and this is no exception. In fact, the viewer needs to know the story of Best first to be able to follow the quick changes in character. We see George Best arriving in Manchester as a naive kid, experiencing a rapid rise to stardom, and just as swift a decline into alcoholic stupor, but without any idea of why. John Lynch co-wrote the script but seems all wrong for the charismatic Best. He remains sombre throughout, even when the team are on top. Ian Bannen gives a solid reading, in one of his last roles, as team manager Matt Busby, but again, the part is unlightening about his relationship with George. Of the supporting cast, I can only single out Linus Roache who is remarkably like the real Best teammate Denis Law, in speech and mannerisms.

The picture does have a lot of digitally retouched football footage, adding the actors into the action, but it is often shown from odd angles that lessen the impact. Why didn't they just use the actual players for these sequences ?

So, this joins the list of disappointing sporting lifes. Better to watch a documentary about the man instead to see the real magic.