Pelada (2010)

Artwork for Film

I liked this film, and it is because of this that I feel a lot of pain saying that this film is not really a great documentary.

It is, though, enjoyable.  Very much so.

The documentary starts horribly.  Ill-conceived shots.  Bad music.  And even worse insight.  But soon enough, they leave the US, and it is there, that they find their most inspiring shots.  And those are just utterly beautiful.

The film as a whole seems to lack conflict, style and purpose, and a documentary without that feels more stressful than it needs to be.  Having said that, I did enjoy the film, and it did leave me with a yearning desire to pick up my soccer ball and go play.

But that should never be enough.

I feel like there were many a moment where they could have gone deeper into the soccer culture, and have brought out some gems or insight that people had not heard before.  But every time they seemed on the edge of glory, they circled back to themselves and then moved on to the next country.

Ultimately, it felt like they could have done a really good 30 minute documentary, but pushed it farther, and in doing so, gave the pace of the film a cyclical feel where the film seemed to be at the point of ending at every turn, and in doing so, seemed endless.

Catch it on Netflix like I did, but don't waste your time hunting it down to buy it.

If you're looking for something a bit deeper into the politics of soccer, soccer with a conscience as it may be, watch Kicking It (2008) you will not be sorry.