Movie spotlight
The One and Only
When Stevie meets Neil on the day he comes to deliver her brand new kitchen, it's already too late for love at first sight. Too late for both of them. Stevie is already five minutes pregnant by her Italian footballer husband. And too late for Neil too - his wife Jenny has already applied to adopt an African girl. But too late or otherwise, love at first sight is exactly what happens. How can Neil and Stevie get out of their mistaken marriages and into each others arms?
Insights
Plot Summary
Set against the backdrop of the 1970s, this film follows the story of Jimmy, a former footballer whose dreams of a professional career were cut short. Now working as a sports teacher, he takes on the challenge of coaching a ragtag group of boys from a tough London comprehensive school to glory in a major cup final. Along the way, he must confront his own past failures and inspire his young team to believe in themselves.
Critical Reception
The One and Only received a mixed to positive reception. Critics generally praised its heartfelt story, strong performances, particularly from Ray Winstone, and its nostalgic depiction of the 1970s. However, some found the plot somewhat predictable and the pacing occasionally uneven.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its authentic portrayal of working-class Britain and 1970s football culture.
Ray Winstone's performance as the disillusioned coach was widely commended.
Some critics noted a familiar underdog sports movie narrative.
Google audience: Audience reception information is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film is based on the real-life experiences of former footballer and coach Jimmy McGovern (not to be confused with the screenwriter of the same name).
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources