Movie review: "Sixty Six" (2006)

It's 1966 and soccer's World Cup is being held in England. Many are pessimistic about the home side's chances of making the final, which is OK with London lad Bernie Reubens whose Bar Mitzvah is on the same date. It's his chance to shine in front of a loving though largely oblivious family and everything has to be perfect.

But as Alf Ramsey's men fight tenaciously toward the trophy, the Reubens are beset by financial hardships and a nasty accident. Everyone else is glued to their radio or telly with Cup fever and Bernie's big day is looking smaller and smaller. In desperation, he becomes an expert on international football, desperately searching for an opponent who might stop England and save his dream...

We all know how the famous tournament finished and it's easy to guess the effect it has on young Bernie and his family. So, yes, the film is predictable. It's also a rose-tinted view of history making no reference to any anti-Jewish prejudice.

On the plus side, the characters in "Sixty Six" aren't as one-dimensional as they first appear (probably because it's based on the director's own childhood), the schmaltz never grows sickly, and the file footage of the matches provides an electric connection to a whole country's excitement. The casting's great all round, with Helena Bonham Carter that bit greater than the rest as Mrs Reubens.

Final word: An unlikely winner.

[Australian cinema release date: March 15]