Pele: The Making of a Legend

Dir: Jeff Zimbalist
Dur: 1 hr 47 mins
Starring: Kevin de Paula, Seu Jorge, Mariana Nunes
Rating: 8/10

Pele is a name that is known the world over. Every football fan will have heard his name atleast if they know nothing else about him. This film is biographical and hence gives us a view of Pele’s background and rise to fame.

The film follows a similar route as Goal: The Dream Begins, (which is for me the most inspiring sports-based film ever). A slum dweller dreams of overturning Brazil’s fortunes after a sound thrashing at the 1950 World Cup and a humiliating campaign at the following World Cup. Dico, as Pele was baptized, is blessed with natural flair and has the Brazilian jinga (what is now known as Samba style or Samba magic) gushing through his veins. The jinga defines the Brazilian style of football and is quite specific to them. The history of the jinga is briefly told and its role in Brazil’s rise to football’s throne of glory is evidently displayed. The story remains basic, sticking to lifestyle rather than drama. There are no attempts made to infuse elements that would stand out as questionable so as to sell the film. The actors aren’t extraordinary but the camera work is well done.   

The film will not go down the annals of cinema as being a great but however it succinctly portrays the life of one of the greatest footballers to have graced the pitch. For people of our generation, Pele is only a name that has hit our attention; watching the film gives us a fairly good idea of the man and puts his achievements in perspective.

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