Beckham review – the candid, riveting truth about the footballer’s life
At the end of last year, Joe Lycett, a comedian, questioned David Beckham's role as an ambassador for Qatar, a country where being gay is illegal and LGBTQ+ people are persecuted, which was not well-received. This may explain why the four-part Netflix documentary about Beckham seems like an attempt to fix his image. However, the documentary is surprisingly honest and provides an exciting overview of the life and career of one of the most renowned footballers of all time.
The Beckham series is a popular choice among sport enthusiasts and non-fans alike. Director Fisher Stevens does an excellent job of showcasing a lively and colorful atmosphere. Throughout the show, Stevens follows Beckham doing everyday tasks, resembling those of fictional character Alan Partridge. These tasks include collecting honey from his own beehives and making sure his kitchen is as clean as can be. While on screen, Stevens can be heard asking Beckham questions. The light teasing of Beckham on-screen seems to be received positively, with the star joking about himself in response.
The documentary tracks the journey of a youthful David, who was primarily focused on football and lacked any real friends during his school days. Eventually, he progresses to Manchester United's practice fields, where he meets Sir Alex Ferguson, who becomes a significant part of his life. The relationship between the two is captivating and intriguing to witness throughout the years. Ferguson is featured in the film, providing his perspective on their bond. He discusses everything from their initial closeness to the incident where he accidentally kicked a boot at Beckham, resulting in it hitting his forehead. Additionally, the documentary touches upon Beckham's departure from the club. Beckham acknowledges that Ferguson was a paternal figure to him and even now experiences a deep level of disappointment regarding their fallout.
Other members of the football player’s family shared interesting stories and small pieces of information about him. For example, his father, Ted, was strict. His mother, Sandra, was also quite entertaining. Sandra mentioned that when Glenn Hoddle, the former England manager, criticized her son’s commitment to the game and benched him, she added him to her list of enemies. She also talked about a time when she got revenge on a journalist who was staying at the same hotel as she was. Victoria, the player’s sister, was also quite honest in her statements. She talked about a chant from the audience that was quite explicit, and the woman sitting next to her didn't know what to do. She simply offered her a Polo instead.
The show isn't just about Beckham's family, as it features many famous people who were part of his football career. This is a tribute to Beckham's impressive legacy. The series includes many of his former teammates and managers from Manchester United and Real Madrid, such as Cantona, Ronaldo Nazário, Paul Scholes, Ince, Roy Keane, and Rio Ferdinand. Sometimes, other people also appear briefly to make a point, like Peter Hook, who says that footballers have replaced musicians as the "rock stars" of Manchester. Fashion icon Anna Wintour also appears to mention that her daughter was a fan of Posh and Becks. Gary Neville is a standout character throughout the show, especially when he talks about his experiences partying at the Haçienda nightclub. While this may not be directly related to the topic, Neville's thoughts on clubbing could easily fill a whole documentary on their own.
In this section, we explore David Beckham's influence beyond his success as a footballer. While football plays a significant role in his story, he was the first to fully embrace the world of brand partnerships and became a celebrity icon, much to Ferguson's dismay. His marriage to a Spice Girl propelled them both into the spotlight of tabloid media. The documentary chronicles the wildness of the 1990s and examines how the media treated the couple, as is expected in modern documentaries.
The blog section reveals that Beckham is not afraid to talk about anything, even though he comes across as someone who likes to have control in all aspects of his life. He is honest about his experiences, such as the 1998 World Cup red card incident where he faced a lot of hate, threats, and abuse. He and his wife Victoria also address rumors about his alleged extramarital affair, but they do not give any specific details. The podcast has a lot of interesting tidbits about Beckham's fashion choices, hairstyles, and wedding plans. It's a fun listen, and the episodes go by quickly. Beckham's image and reputation will likely remain intact.
