Eddie the Eagle

(PG) Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Christopher Walken

Remember that goofy British bloke who became one of the world’s favourite losers at the 1988 Winter Olympics?

Like a one-man version of Cool Runnings, Eddie The Eagle is a sweet, energetic tribute to an oddball who embodies “live your dream”.

Emerging British actor Taron Egerton plays Edwards with respectful eccentricity and his pairing with Hugh Jackman (as a washed-up coach) provides plenty of warmth, humour and charm. But the driving force on-screen is the popular idea that everyone should be able to do whatever they desire —and nothing should get in their way.

Sounds fair enough and Eddie The Eagle presents “triumph over adversity” in an uplifting way.

But the danger of such a well-intended movie – even though it’s so nice, gentle, enjoyable and worth seeing – is that it promises too much.

Because what if, unlike Edwards, we don’t reach our goals? What do we do then? Gulp.

Rather than just going after whatever we want for the sake of it, God calls us to align our ambitions with whatever will glorify Jesus (Colossians 3:17, 23-24). When we genuinely do that, our pursuit of goals will achieve “higher” results. Every time.

Ben McEachen