I have not watch the recent Malaysian movies, and I believed many Malaysians are like me, preferring foreign movies for better storyline, better cinematography, better acting and in short, better movies. But after viewing this movie with the last ticket in the hall, it somehow restores a small faith in me, both in our football team, as well in the movie industry. Perhaps, this movie can serve as a catalyst for reignite our dying Malaysian spirit.
The movie's background is set in the late 70s and early 80s in Malaysia, deemed as the golden era for Malaysian football.Those who follows or know a thing or two about local football history, you will immediately relate the characters to the actual football legend. Chow Kok Keong = Soh Chin Aun a.k.a "Tauke"; Eric "Balak" = James Wong, Ali = Hassan Sani, Muthu = V.Arumugam.
Just like many of the sports themed movies, it did not escape the cliché formula. The team was struggling due to personal ego of each of the characters, the inner conflict between the players and the coach, and eventually the team came to unite together for the same pride, to bring glory to our country.
The storyline was simple enough for all Malaysians to understand and to relate to. To know that our country was multicultural, not divided by politics and religion, to know that a Chinese can consult his best friend which was a Malay when facing inner conflicts, I find it refreshing somehow.
The director, Chiu Keng Guan who gain fame after his box office smashing movie "The Journey", did well again. As a viewer, I can understand his motives and ambition for the movie.
The story was told from 3 perspectives of 3 main characters in the movie. Coincidentally, the 3 characters were forms the 3 major ethnic race in our country. However, I was a little bit puzzled of his choice to narrate the story from the sports caster view (which of a Malay Ethnicity) instead of using the narratives from the the main player Ali in the football team. But nevertheless, I am still pleased that he pays his tribute to the sports casters and I could relate almost immediately to the sports casters that I grew up with like Rahim Razali or Hasbullah Awang.
As a continuation from "The Journey", Chiu did not forget to showcase breathtaking scenery in this movie. To me, the quiet montage of the scenery reminds me wildly that this beautiful place is my country. And what ever I do, I do it for this land of abundance. The chorus of "Inilah Barisan Kita" that was echoing in few scenes brings a sense of patriotism in me even before the climax of the movie.
As for the acting, I was told that the characters were not actors and training were given just before they started shooting. Despite all that, the cast was able to give a commendable performance. In fact some of the smaller characters like the substitute player Ah Chai and the 3 brothers of the goalkeeper Muthu did well provides much of the comedic aspect in the movie.
Overall, this movie is both uplifting and inspiring. It is important for us to be reminded that we had a better Malaysia back then. And as per the tag line "You will believe again", I choose to believe that we Malaysians will be able to unite again, looking past our racial and faith differences, and perhaps just perhaps, I will be able to witness our football team can rise again and enter Olympics or World Cup in my life time.
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