Eddie the Eagle
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Taron Egerton, Christopher Walken
Three stars
British ski-jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards is probably not a name many people in the Middle East as familiar with – for the obvious environmental reason that the region has never been a key player in the Winter Olympics.
However, you don’t need to be an expert on winter sports – to be honest, Edwards was not, either – to enjoy this entertaining tale of an ordinary man’s struggle against the odds.
Despite being physically unremarkable, Edwards dreamt of becoming an Olympian. Having realised his limitations meant it was unlikely he could compete in any of the more popular events, he turned his attention to ski jumping.
Britain had never competed in the event at the Olympics, so he faced literally no competition and there was no real qualifying process to speak of.
He did, however, face stiff opposition from the British Olympic association and his own team mates. Despite this, he did represent his country at the 1998 games in Calgary, and briefly became an unlikely international celebrity.
While based on the true story, the movie does takes a few creative liberties. Hugh Jackman’s character, Johnson Peary, is fictitious, for example. He is a hard-drinking, chain-smoking former American ski jumper who left the US Olympic team under a cloud.
Despite initial misgivings, Peary agrees to train Edwards (Taron Egerton), becoming a friend and mentor in the process, as he faces his own demons.
At heart, then, this a fairly traditional, plucky, underdog, sporting, buddy movie that sits comfortably alongside similar British comedies such as Billy Elliot or Bend It Like Beckham.
But although there’s nothing original about the format, it is a very well-executed example. It’s refreshing that no attempt is made to give the story a Hollywood ending – history isn’t rewritten to turn Edwards into anything other than what he was in real life.
There are laughs aplenty along the way, mostly at the absurdity of the unsuitability of Edwards for his chosen role – but the filmmakers generate the comedy without being disrespectful or making Edwards a figure of fun or ridicule. The growing friendship between Peary and Edwards is both heart-warming and believable.
The high point of the movie is a stunning, Oscar-worthy performance from Kingsman star Egerton. Those who remember Edwards from his days as a British folk hero will appreciate just how completely Egerton transorms into Eddie the Eagle – the awkward mannerisms, the childlike belief in his limited abilities and the loveable, eccentric nature of the character are captured to perfection. An impressive hair and make-up job complete the transformation.
If an inspirational feel-good movie with plenty of laughs is what you need this weekend, you won’t find a better option than this.
cnewbould@thenational.ae
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: Dh898,000
On sale: now
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