In a perfect world, talent would trump race, creed, nationality, citizenship and any other artificial barriers erected to discourage it.
But sometimes, even in our imperfect world, perseverance triumphs.
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| Charles (Dayo Okeniyi, center) and his two sons — Thanasis (Ral Agada, left) and Giannis (Uche Agada) — aren't about to let a little bit of rain interrupt some high-spirited hoop action. |
Given the blend of Nigerian heritage, Turkish and Greek locales, Arash Amel’s script can’t help acknowledging the racism, xenophobia and shelter uncertainty that the Antetokounmpo family face on a regular basis — over the course of many, many years — but the tone is more matter-of-fact than strident (which, honestly, makes each such encounter even more wrenching).
The story begins with a brief prologue in Turkey, as migrants Charles (Dayo Okeniyi) and Veronika (Yetide Badaki) are one panicked step ahead of thuggish immigration police. Driven to a drastic decision in order to cross the border — shades of Sophie’s Choice — they successfully flee into Greece.
Several years pass. Charles and Veronika work hard at a variety of menial jobs, while raising two young sons, Giannis (McColm Cephas Jr.) and Thanasis (Chinua Baraka Payne). Their meager incomes are supplemented by hawking sunglasses and other colorful knickknacks in Athens tourist zones: a dodgy activity that occasionally attracts the wrong sort of attention from the Greek police.
The boys develop an interest in soccer.
More time passes. Giannis and Thanasis have grown into lithe, lanky teenagers (now played by actual brothers Uche and Ral Agada); the family has been augmented by additional young sons Kostas (Jaden Osimuwa) and Alexandros (Elijah Sholanke).
Charles and Veronika have begun quietly careful efforts to become legal, but the system is deliberately designed to thwart this: They need proof of “real” jobs in order to achieve citizenship, but they must be citizens in order to be hiredinto “real” jobs. The immigration clerk seems kind, but she’s utterly useless. (We want to reach into the screen and smack her.)
Such moments are heartbreaking, in great part because Okeniyi and Badaki so effectively convey the carefully modulated patience with which Charles and Veronika endure each setback, and each subtle — and not so subtle — humiliation. Only at home, in the loving embrace of the entire family unit, do husband and wife occasional yield to quiet despair.
Indeed, it could be argued that this is more a film about the power of family unity — love, devotion and mutual respect — than sports. “Friends come and go,” Charles occasionally reminds everybody, “but family is forever.”
Ah, but we’re getting to the sports part.
One day, Giannis and Thanasis chance upon a pick-up basketball match on a neighborhood court. The other boys are friendly and forgiving, since these newcomers know nothing about the game. Giannis and Thanasis are encouraged to join them at a local gym, where they’ll be able to wear uniforms and play monitored games, at no cost.
This offer prompts a crisis back at home, because it would involve a level of “visibility” that exceeds Charles’ comfort zone. This prompts a telling comment from his wife, which Badaki delivers with a warm blend of affection and gentle chiding: “You had a dream, once.”
This moment — and many others like it — could sink into mawkish sentimentality in a lesser film, but not here … never here. Kudos to Omotoso’s sensitive direction, Amel’s carefully nuanced script, and all of the actors.
Giannis and Thanasis join the gym gang, where they come to the attention of a sympathetic coach (Panos Koronis, note-perfect in this crucial role).
As for what happens next … well, if you’re not familiar with the Antetokounmpo brothers, I’ll not spoil anything here.
The on-court hoops action is choreographed and edited — by Vuyani Sondlo — with an enthusiastic eye for the excitement and utter joy of the sport. That said, Omotoso and Amel never let us forget the circumstances; one particularly telling scene finds many of the other boys snickering derisively, when they notice that Giannis and Thanasis must share the same single pair of gym shoes.
The Agada brothers look good on the court, and their dramatic performances are fresh, natural and boyishly sincere (quite impressive, for first-time actors).
Manish Dayal highlights the third act as the boys’ inexperienced, enthusiastic and doggedly tenacious agent, Kevin Stefanides.
Ré Olunuga’s uplifting orchestral score often yields to a wide range of vibrant, culturally diverse pop and rap tunes performed by Ofili, Teddybears, 2 Chainz, The Notorious B.I.G. and many others.
Feel-good underdog sports stories don’t come much better than this one.
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