The Beautiful Game Movie: A Heartwarming Tale of Redemption and Hope

Get ready to be inspired by “The Beautiful Game,” a fictional movie that shines a light on the incredible Homeless World Cup Tournament. For two decades, this tournament has brought together hundreds of people from all walks of life to compete in a soccer tournament like no other. Starring the talented Bill Nighy as a grieving widower who finds solace in coaching, this film aims to raise awareness about the real tournament and change perceptions about the homeless and those in recovery.

A Cast of Characters Fighting for Redemption

In the The Beautiful Game Movie, Mal (played by Nighy) is a dedicated coach who works with homeless English soccer players. For these players, the Homeless World Cup tournament represents a chance at redemption. The tournament welcomes participants who have experienced homelessness, are in recovery, or are seeking asylum. The film introduces us to a cast of characters, each with their own struggles and triumphs, including:

• Nathan (Callum Scott Howells), a heroin addict whose mother has been told to cut ties with him
• Cal (Kit Young), who left his child alone for 48 hours during a bender
• Jason (Sheyi Cole) and Rosita (Cristina Rodlo), who share a budding romance during the tournament

Real-Life Homeless World Cup Alums Take the Field

What makes “The Beautiful Game” movie even more special is the inclusion of real Homeless World Cup alums who play for the American team in the film. Among them is Lisa Wrightsman, who not only coached the American team at the first U.S. Homeless World Cup in Sacramento in 2023 but also played in the 2010 Homeless World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. Wrightsman, sporting a #3 jersey, can be seen scoring a goal for the U.S. team in a match against England for third place.

From Rock Bottom to a Brighter Future

Wrightsman’s personal story resonates with the character of Vinny (Micheal Ward), a promising soccer player whose career fell through. Like Vinny, Wrightsman played soccer at Sacramento State but lost her chance to go pro. She spiraled into drug and alcohol addiction, hitting rock bottom and landing in jail. However, through the support of a sober living facility and Street Soccer USA, Wrightsman found a new purpose in life. She now runs the Sacramento chapter of Street Soccer USA, using soccer to empower at-risk youth.

The Power of Second Chances

Another real-life Homeless World Cup alum featured in the film is Angela Draws, who wears a #4 jersey and can be seen playing alongside the American team. Draws met Wrightsman in a sober living facility while recovering from drug addiction. Despite never having played soccer beyond grade school, Draws credits the sport with helping her maintain 12 years of sobriety. She now works as a personal trainer in Sacramento and hopes the movie will inspire people to show more kindness to the homeless and those in recovery.

A Message of Hope and Inspiration

“The Beautiful Game” serves as a powerful reminder that every person, regardless of their circumstances, has the potential for greatness. As Draws eloquently puts it, “You never know the magic inside someone who’s sleeping on the street. We are not our circumstance. We are not the worst thing we’ve ever done.”

With the next Homeless World Cup scheduled for September 21-28 in Seoul, South Korea, this film couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s a heartwarming tale of redemption, hope, and the transformative power of sport.

Don’t miss “The Beautiful Game Movie,” out on March 29, and let it inspire you to see the beauty and potential in every human being.