The Penalty King

Having your eyesight removed from you is one of the many challenges in life.

Our protagonist of the story dreams of his days on the football pitch, but is clearly too proud to say really what he wants, helped wonderfully by his friend the moment he says: "I guess it's time for that damn good kick about."

The Penalty King is a touching subtle story of camaraderie amongst men. Finding a place in society, the working man has a life outside of work; this is wonderfully portrayed in the movie by the footballers, not to mention the evil boss from hell who bans "toys with a synthetic oral capability" - a crude reminder of the health and safety world in which we live today.

This story is a joy from start to finish, carried along with great subtle humour, touching upon many down to earth social issues of the working class. In my opinion, this film really appreciates the aesthetics of British society and its complexities, in a way that only someone that has lived in this country long enough could come up with. It has a positive outlook and a great insight into our country for anyone unfamiliar with the British way of life.

I was fortunate to see this film at a special preview at Elland Road and what a treat. Chris Cook (The director) has used real life experience and his love of Leeds United to create a special low budget cult film. From the early stages you can see his dry sense of humour and slightly twisted view of the world is reflected brilliantly by the means of witty replies and humours profanity. Penalty King follows the life a Lee a die hard Leeds fan who has recently lost his sight to illness and works in a dead end job at the social services cleaning second hand disability equipment. Apart from watching his beloved Leeds all Lee would like to do again is "have a good dam kick about" some thing not possible since the loss of his sight, but with the help of Charlie his eccentric American colleague can Lee once again live the dream and become the penalty king?

A must see for all Leeds fans or anyone who has a passion for a football club, works in a dead end job, played Sunday morning football or just enjoys a film with wall to wall laughs

Be warned though if you are offended by strong profanity this film might not be for you

The Penalty King tells the story of Lee who is a blind football fan, and his friend Charlie and how he gets Lee to love the Beautiful game again! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the Penalty King, as usually a film about football would not be my first choice, but I think this film would appeal to football fans and non fans, as it is a strong character driven piece with a great, and very humorous in places script.

Though the film is of a lower budget, it has a high quality feel to it,by using lots of shooting locations,past Leeds games footage, and a good use of soundtrack.

Overall I found the Penalty King to be a funny uplifting movie, which is made more enjoyable by the buddy relationship between the central characters Lee and Charlie.

OK, so a blind guy who wants to play football.... not the most obvious set up in the world... and funnily enough this isn't the most predictable of films. However, The Penalty King strangely enough takes this scenario and gives you something genuinely relatable. A ramshackle social services department is the site of the 'action' which, with the help of a spot on script- will have you squirming on your sofa,wringing your hands and wincing in perverse delight as you witness the all too familiar scene of arbitrary office politics laid out in front of you. Chris Cook finds comedy, not only in the places where other people wouldn't look, but in the places where other people wouldn't want to look. A refreshing film that takes an honest view at the other side of life and comes up with some surprises... some very surprising surprises at times... Get the DVD. watch it. then revel in the delight of your own -relatively- comfortable existence...

This film describes a recently blinded park-footballer's unlikely return to the field of dreams as one of the lads. The Penalty King contrasts the frustrations of everyday work with the potential glory of a Saturday afternoon on the park pitch. It is a tale of life-long obsession that will not be thwarted by blindness.

Superb locations, acting, and music, are brought together to produce a film that takes you into places most do not see. The message of the film still applies to all. The film includes classic footage of Leeds United that will be a pleasure for anyone with even a passing interest in the beautiful game. But this is more than a football film. I do not remember smiling more watching a film.

A captivating story with a number of sub-plots brought to a conclusion that will make you want to put on your shin pads and lace up your boots. And Claire Grogan too. Enjoy.