Next Goal Wins ★★★

KIWI director Taika Waititi has attracted criticism from a few quarters of the internet lately.

This seems to have flowed into criticism of his new film, sport-based comedy Next Goal Wins.

Ignore those people; this is an entertaining family effort based on the true story of a small country’s struggle to find internal confidence and external respect through the game of football.

Waititi’s screenplay is based on a 2014 documentary about Dutch-American coach Thomas Rongen’s period leading the American Samoa national football team.

After being beaten 31-0 by Australia, the worst defeat in World Cup qualifying history, the heads of the local soccer federation are determined to turn things around.

They advertise internationally but the only application is Rogen; and here’s where the film may immediately start to differ, for comic effect, from actual events.

In Waititi’s film Rogen has no other option to continue his career with the small island nation, but is initially very reluctant to embrace his new home and responsibilities.

This of course creates plenty of opportunities for culture clash humour that are presented in a manner that still shows genuine affection for the people involved.

In a rare comic turn, Irish actor Michael Fassbender plays Rongen. It’s an interesting performance that grows with the film and is at its best when dealing with a few serious moments.

One of these is the sensitively handled and acted relationship between Rongen and Jaiyah Saelua, played well by Kaimana, who was the first transgender player ever to compete in a World Cup qualifier.

The head of the soccer federation explains to Rongen when he arrives that all they want is to score one gaol in a qualifying game, but ultimately they achieve much more together.

Watched on a plane.