Gascoigne

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

75%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 8

49%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 141
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Movie Info

The Italia '90 World Cup was a renaissance for English football, watched by millions of people across the UK. Its leading figure was the young Paul Gascoigne - a player who had come to prominence with his hometown club Newcastle United and who now, upon England's semi-fi nal exit, captured the hearts of the nation. Gascoigne returned home to a hero's welcome and became a superstar of international football. With his irrepressible spirit and extraordinary skills he was for a generation of players and fans the most captivating footballer they had ever seen. This documentary is the definitive story - in his own words - behind the inspired play on the pitch and the personal struggles and controversies off it. This film tells one of sport's most remarkable tales.

Cast

Paul Gascoigne

Critic Reviews for Gascoigne

All Critics (8) | Top Critics (2)

  • It's heartening to see those old crowdpleasing instincts return when discussing, say, that Vinnie Jones photo. For the first time in years, Gazza is allowed to express himself as only he could.

    Jun 4, 2015 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Mike McCahill

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • There's more than one elephant crammed into the room during this sympathetic but insufficient footballing portrait.

    Jun 1, 2015 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Dave Calhoun

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • The movie is very much a celebration of a rare English footballing genius.

    Dec 30, 2015 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Alex Zane

    The Sun (UK)

  • Gazza, the Geordie football genius who lived on a proverbial diet of brown ale and Mars bars, is just as you would expect: engaging, mischievous, funny but also haunted and sometimes just a little bit prey to self-pity.

    Jun 12, 2015 | Full Review…

    Geoffrey Macnab

    Independent (UK)

  • Preston must be commended highly for making such a tender feature, studying the highs and lows, but revelling predominantly in the former.

    Jun 8, 2015 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Stefan Pape

    HeyUGuys

  • It feels like a missed opportunity.

    Jun 8, 2015 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    James Mottram

    The List
View All Critic Reviews (8)

Audience Reviews for Gascoigne

  • Jun 27, 2015
    Paul Gascoigne has a special place in my affections for many reasons. One was during Euro 96 when we (England) played Scotland at Wembley in the Group stage and he scored that famous goal. Around that time I had not long met a girl and she was going away on holiday with some friends and her train was set to leave around kick off time. At the beginning things were exciting and sexy (as they tend to be) and in a fit of stupidness I agreed to see her off. I regretted this brain burp immediately as it meant me missing the game but for some reason unbeknown to me I was prepared to sacrifice. To cut a long story short the holiday didn't happen and I ended up watching the game at hers and afterwards I was so over the moon that I had got to watch it. One of the best times of my life, upon reflection I was way too easily impressed back then. There is now forever an unbreakable association between that goal and that time in my life and Gazza was responsible for this. Personal stories aside this documentary is moving at times but felt like it could have been so much more. For me, what makes Gazza is his flaws and his vulnerability and this is more evident in him now than ever before. In this one to one interview there was too much emphasis on the successes and not enough about the disappointments. For example, his unceremonious dumping from the World Cup squad in 98 was hardly touched upon to my recollection yet that episode in his life might be responsible for so much of what has come to pass. There's also very little about his time away from England in Italy and Scotland other than celebrating a goal by performing the sash. I would have liked to learnt some more about this and how he coped (or didn't) with that chapter of his life. What made us love him as a nation was that he was me and you, he was the boy next door that we could relate to him. He made stupid mistakes in the same way that we all do and had also suffered some shocking tragedies. But allied with the flaws came the genius on the pitch. The care free attitude and a spontaneity that few possess in Sport. What this doc does have are some nice tributes from some very prominent people within the game. His influence on players like Wayne Rooney are there for all to see when he speaks about him.
    Justin F Super Reviewer
  • Jun 20, 2015
    An interesting look at one of England's greatest ever football players and perhaps letting us see him as he really is. Whilst some of the footage is reused a little too often you cannot help but clearly see how much of an impact Paul Gascoigne had on the English game. Arguably the greatest player that England has ever had.
    Ian W Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

Gascoigne Quotes

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