Whilst Eddie the Eagle may use every cliche in the book, and takes some major poetic licence for narrative’s sake (the requirement of a qualifying distance, Hugh Jackman’s entire character… ), Taron Egerton and co. capture the plucky underdog spirit of the man so well that you honestly don’t care.

Even if you already know about Eddie, there’s still plenty to enjoy; endearing central performances, consistent laughs and some bone-crunching crashes. It may not break any new ground (which can’t be said of the ski jumpers), but it’s a hard-hearted person who is left cold by Eddie’s persistently positive story.

Much like the real Eddie Edwards, the film may not soar as high as loftier biopics, but it’s a heartwarmer.  Anyway, it’s not about the winning, it’s about the taking part.

RATING: 4/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Keith Allen, Jo Hartley, Jim Broadbent, Christopher Walken

DIRECTOR: Dexter Fletcher

WRITERS: Sean Macaulay, Simon Kelton

SYNOPSIS: His lifelong dream is to compete at the Olympics, and Eddie Edwards isn’t going to let anything stop that dream from coming true.