Rarely does an actor have as complete a breakout movie experience as Taron Egerton did with the movie Kingsman: The Secret Service, which seemed to come from no-where at the start of 2015 to be one of the success stories of the year, grossing over US$400m worldwide. The success of this film was in no small part down to the onscreen charisma of Egerton, in his first ever feature length film role.

 

The question therefore is whether Egerton is a one-note wonder destined to forever play variations of the same role (hello, Hugh Grant), or a fully rounded actor ready for a diverse and interesting career.

 

Eddie the Eagle answers this question, as Egerton plays the lead character – the real life British sky jumper Michael “Eddie” Edwards – and totally immerses himself in the part. He successfully brings the audience on side in loving the character, whilst retaining the naive goofiness of the role. At the same time, he removes all memory of his Kingsmen role, a good sign for his future.

 

This is important, as the movie will only work if the audience buys into the improbable quest of Edwards to become an Olympian. Egerton’s performance ensures that only those with hearts of stone will not.

 

He is supported by Hugh Jackman, giving his usual strong performance, whilst Tim McInnerny provides the villain of the piece, who remains a realistic character, the right side of pantomime.

 

Of special note however is the direction, by Dexter Fletcher (formally of Press Gang fame).

 

Fletcher avoids the usual trap of smaller budget films (Eddie the Eagle was made for US$23m), which more often than not try to do something innovative (and annoying) with the direction in the traditional scenes. However, his imaginative filming of the sky jumps – each one different – is excellent, allowing the audience to really appreciate the terror of the sport.

 

Is the movie a pile of feel good schmaltz? Of course it is.

 

But it’s the best quality of schmaltz.

 

By the final act of the film, the cameo by a certain high profile Hollywood actor adds the perfect evaluation to an otherwise lovely film.