Purely Belter ** (2000, Chris Beattie, Greg McLane, Tim Healy, Roy Hudd, Kevin Whately, Charlie Hardwick) – Classic Movie Review 1979

From writer- director Mark Herman, the maker of Brassed Off and Little Voice, comes this pleasant and watchable 2000 British footie movie that stumbles just like previous attempts such as Escape to Victory, Best and The Match.

Director Herman is so keen to press the ‘feel-good’ button that he’s lost all touch of reality in his bitter-sweet tale of two Geordie teenage boys who’ll do anything to get to see their team play. The lads need £1000 to buy season tickets to cheer on Newcastle United.

The film’s grittiness is undermined by its fairy-tale lack of realism and manipulation of the audience and truth by making the plotlines increasingly incredible and sending the warm-hearted comedy into the realm of sweet sentimentality.

Though the two lads – Chris Beattie and Greg McLane – run with the ball and score as Gerry McCarten and Sewell, the adults should be sent off. Tim Healy is encouraged to go over the top as Beattie’s repellent, violent, alcoholic father, Roy Hudd dodders daftly about as McLane’s dozy dad, and Kevin Whately is dreary as a teacher, Mr Caird. But it’s not the actors’ fault that it’s so hard to believe.

Nevertheless, there is some fun to be had. There are some good, funny lines and situations in the script and the working class and football atmosphere feels real and truthful.

Herman bases his screenplay on the novel The Season Ticket by Jonathan Tulloch. Charlie Hardwick from Emmerdale plays Beattie’s mum, Mrs McCarten. In real life Beattie supports Sunderland.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1979

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