OLA BOLA (2016)

Genre: Drama / Sports
Running Length: 1:53
Cast: Chee Jun Cherng, Luqman Hafidz, Saran Kumar, Marianne Tan, Katrina Ho, Bront Palarae
Director: Chiu Keng Guan
Screenplay: Chan Yoke Yeng, Tan Pik Yee

OLA BOLA is a technically accomplished film. No matter what Chiu and his team says about not feeling the pressure to deliver another "The Journey" phenomenal box office hit, the expectations for his latest film will be high.

So did Ola Bola deliver? Well, it's definitely a feel good Malaysia Boleh movie, but the screenplay and editing could have been more focused and tighter. The first half of the movie was a little all over the place because there are too many characters introduced plus their off the pitch personal stories to tell (and it didn't help they all somewhat looked alike because of the late 70s long hairstyle). But the filmmakers were much more in control in the second half and thus, resulting to a triumphant finish.

Although this story is fictional (with fictional characters), it is based on true events ie. the journey of our multi-cultural Malaysian football team competing to qualify for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

What really worked for me was the rousing movie score, the sound and the cinematography. When put all three together in the right context, you can't help but to stand up and cheer. The scene where the team walks back into the pitch (in glorious slowmo) with a reinvigorated spirit after the motivational half-time locker room talk got my neighbour in the cinema hall pumping his fist in the air and cheering loudly. Wow, it was an emotional moment!

As for the performances, some worked and some didn't. Some cameos were unnecessary and distracting. Two performances that really stood out for me were from Saran Kumar and Bront Palarae. Saran's performance as the goalkeeper and a son wanting his father's approval made me all teary (stupid sand). While Bront has an undeniable onscreen charisma as a passionate and witty rookie commentator as well as an affectionate young father. The supporting cast of the team captain's sister and a reserve player with bucktooth gave memorable performances despite their limited screen time.

In summary, the movie is little heavy handed in delivering the muhibbah message as it felt like the filmmakers were beating us into submission but I welcome it as a timely reminder when one considers what has been happening in our country in the last few years. We are strong not because we are one but it's because we are diverse. Indeed, diversity is Malaysia's strength and we should embrace it.

Rating: 7.5/10