David Beckham is England’s golden boy with a tabloid bullseye on his back and a Spice Girl by his side.
Ever wonder what really went down behind football’s most marketable man-bun?
I like and respect David Beckham a lot more after watching this doc.
Weird factoid: it’s directed by Fisher Stevens (he plays Hugo in the HBO drama “Succession”).
Trailer for “Beckham”
Watch “Beckham”
“Beckham” is a Netflix original series and so you can only watch it here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81223488
Ratings:
- My Rating: 95/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 95/100 (Users); 88/100 (Critics)
Note: The low Rotten Tomatoes critic score above (compared to the higher RT user score is one of many examples of the reviewers getting it wrong. I’m not sure if they’re jealous of Beckham’s good looks or what. My own score is identical to the RT User score. The users are (IMO) almost always more accurate than the critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
Release Date: October 4, 2023
My Review of “Beckham”
Beckham’s right foot isn’t just golden. It’s forged from 92 unbeaten childhood matches.
I dove into Netflix’s 4 part”Beckham” docuseries, directed by Fisher Stevens (he played Hugo in “Succession”!).
It’s a deep dive into football’s most marketable man-bun.
The series opens with Beckham in full apiarist gear, tending to his nine flow hives (bees). He cultivated hundreds of thousands of bees at his countryside home (he started during the pandemic lockdown).
Beckham watches 1,300 Games (as a kid!)
The doc then takes us back to working-class East London. Young David’s already bending it.
His dad’s obsession borders on mania. David watches 1,300 competitor games that his dad got him as a kid.
1,300!
That’s bonkers.
It’s no surprise that the Manchester United scouts drool over this kid.
Beckham’s off to Old Trafford at 14.
By 1999, he’s not just another player. He’s the player.
Beckham’s precision crosses clinch the Treble for United. Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League.
The “Beckham” brand is born. Football’s first true crossover star emerges.
Stevens doesn’t shy away from controversy.
That 1998 World Cup red card still stings.
But Beckham’s made of sterner stuff.
His dad filled him with Guinness — if childhood tales are true.
Posh meets pitch perfect.
Enter Victoria Adams (aka “Posh Spice” of the Spice Girls).
Their wedding rivals a coronation. The throne-like chairs say it all.
Sir Alex Ferguson spills the tea. That flying boot? It was aimed at a water bottle.
The Brits eat it up!
2003 brings a seismic shift. Real Madrid comes calling.
Beckham joins the “Galácticos”. Ronaldo, Zidane, Figo await.
The doc reveals the immense pressure. It’s not all glamour and goals.
Beckham struggles initially. His Spanish consists of “Hola” and “Gracias”.
But he adapts. Learns the language. Wins over the Bernabéu faithful.
The doc explores Brand Beckham’s rise. From underwear to whiskey, he sells it all.
We see the dark side of fame. Paparazzi hound the family relentlessly.
Beckham’s OCD (pre-game/game day rituals)
Beckham admits he’s borderline OCD.
Beckham’s not just meticulous on the pitch. He’s a cleaning machine at home.
Cups, plates, bowls – all must go.
Game day?
Hours before kickoff, he’s tidying like a madman.
And everything must be in pairs (he dislikes odd numbers).
For instance, he will throw away one Diet Pepsi if he has three in the fridge.
Los Angeles
2007 brings another big move. LA Galaxy beckons.
Beckham’s mission: grow the game in America.
The doc reveals struggles for the couple. The U.S. move tests their bond.
We get great MLS behind-the-scenes footage.
Beckham eventually finds success with LA Galaxy, leading the team to win the MLS Cup in 2011 and 2012.
These victories were pivotal in cementing his legacy in Major League Soccer
And Beckham’s UNICEF work shines through. It’s clearly more than a PR move.
Retirement (and Inter Miami)
By 2013, Beckham retires.
Inter Miami becomes his new obsession. He becomes a co-owner and we see the birth pangs of an MLS franchise.
His vision for the club was realized with the high-profile recruitment of global soccer stars like Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, which marked a major milestone for the team and the league
Messi and Neymar give shout-outs to Beckham in the doc.
Stevens weaves in expert commentary. Sports psychologists dissect the Beckham phenomenon.
The cinematography is top-notch. Slow-mo free kicks are visual poetry.
The archive footage makes the 90s and 2000s come alive.
I found the doc’s four parts (66 to 76 minutes each) flew by.
The doc ends with scenes of Beckham and his son Romeo playfully competing in free kick challenges.
It’s a bit corny but doesn’t appear made up.
In the end, “Beckham” is about dreaming big. And having the audacity to chase those dreams.
Football fan or not, “Beckham” hits the back of the net with precision.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc