Saipan film review: we review ‘totally compelling’ new football movie

Sunday 12 October 2025 4:54 pm
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Saipan movie assessment and star ranking: ★★★★

Even by soccer fan requirements, the feud between former Republic of Eire supervisor Mick McCarthy and captain Roy Keane through the 2002 World Cup is little greater than a distant reminiscence. So might this movie be for you in the event you don’t observe soccer? Sure, completely – don’t let the machismo picture put you off this compelling story that reaches far past the pitch.

Actually, soccer barely will get a glance in: administrators Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa need you to expertise the fascinating psychology of stress, as Roy Keane has a blistering fall out with McCarthy throughout every week spent on the island of Saipan a fortnight earlier than the World Cup, the place they went to acclimatise to Japanese time and the climate (this truly occurred).

Saipan: movie has UK premiere at London Movie Pageant

Caged up in a crappy resort with unhealthy meals, no air con and no footballs, Steve Coogan and Éanna Hardwicke are blisteringly good because the warring duo. Much less brawny stand-offs, Saipan as a substitute provides tender examinations of Keane and McCarthy’s psyches. Coogan has the gravitas to drag off McCarthy’s complexity; his passivity, confidence and down-to-earth nature, however Irish actor Hardwicke is superb as Keane, presenting a sympathetic portrait that’s one fifth blistering anger however principally an enchanting deep dive into a person who’s simply completely overwhelmed. There are attention-grabbing makes use of of sunshine and David Holmes’ mesmeric soundtrack as Keane languishes alone within the resort, torn between persevering with with taking part in or calling it quits and acknowledging that his relationship with McCarthy is untenable. 

Saipan can also be significantly trendy: in a single scene, Hardwicke’s Keane sits in an elaborate rattan chair trying completely wrecked as he watches three lizards combating (as a metaphor it’s on-the-nose however who cares when it appears to be like this cool?) with the island of Saipan unfolding behind him. There’s a humorous bit about resort workers carting a few big Roy Keane head in an try and impress him. It’s considered one of a cohort of elegant moments that convey the tonal tightrope stroll between celebration and distress – different escapist scenes present the remainder of the group laughing on banana boats and doing salsa dances within the resort grounds as Keane seethes in his room. 

Soccer is among the ripest grounds for drama and Saipan’s nice success is in realizing that this story is worthy of a broader viewers than the center aged individuals who adopted this affair over twenty years in the past. You permit with buckets of empathy for McCarthy and Keane, regardless of their goal muck-ups. A nostalgia fest for a sure few however an enchanting character research for the remaining.

Saipan premiered on the London Movie Pageant – listed below are our greatest picks from the occasion.