5/10
Those of us who watch football spend an awful lot of time cursing the referee when he gets things wrong, which in the nature of things is inevitable. This film follows the fortunes of three referees as they officiate at the Euro Championships of 2008.
I hope I won't seem to be sitting on the fence if I say that this film is both fascinating and a bit dull. Let me explain. On the one hand, we get to see and hear what happens on the pitch from the point of view of the bloke with the whistle. The camera(s) focus almost exclusively on this central figure who never kicks a ball, yet has such a major influence on the outcome of games which affect the mood of millions. It's a job I wouldn't do, not even for the sort of money that Rooney gets paid, but these guys do it for a lot less. And seem to enjoy themselves.
The most famous face and name belongs to Howard Webb, Premiership referee, and ex-policeman, who flourishes in the spotlight, and makes at least one major blunder. The other two are Italian and Spanish respectively, and the film follows all three of them off the pitch as well as on, and even into their own homes. Whether this was a wise decision on the part of the refs is a matter of opinion, but it does give us a rounded view of what kind of people take on that level of responsibility.
The fact that it is in some ways less than fascinating is for precisely the same reason. The football, which (if I'm honest) is more interesting, passes us by, and sometimes it's hard to tell which teams are playing, let alone the outcome of the game. And however interesting their back room discussions are on the decisions they've made, and the brief appearance of UEFA supremo (and ex-football genius) Michel Platini, I'm not sure that the film can carry the thread for the full running time.
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether your interest in football is sufficient to draw you to a film that is exclusively about the guys who facilitate a game of football, for better or for worse. But don't expect to see another one like it soon. Football authorities are rarely so forthcoming as to allow this kind of access.
