My Summer with Des (1998)

Romantic comedy set during the European football championships in 1996, where football fan Martin finds his life is going from bad to worse after losing his job and splitting up with his ... See full summary »

Director:

Simon Curtis

Writer:

Arthur Smith

Stars:

Neil Morrissey, Rachel Weisz, John Gordon Sinclair

Cast

Credited cast:
Neil Morrissey	...	Martin
Rachel Weisz	...	Rosie
John Gordon Sinclair	...	Cameron (as John Gordon-Sinclair)
Arabella Weir	...	Barbara
Graeme Garden	...	Angus
Tilly Blackwood	...	Anna
Desmond Lynam	...	Himself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kolade Agboke	...	Football fan #2
Jean Ainslie	...	Neighbour #2
Domingo Calvo	...	Spanish waiter #2
Sophie-Louise Dann	...	Football fan #3
Serge Feuillard	...	French waiter #2
Robin Hellier	...	Party guest #2
Mitch Horner	...	Party guest #3
Felipe Izquierdo	...	Spanish waiter #1

Storyline

Romantic comedy set during the European football championships in 1996, where football fan Martin finds his life is going from bad to worse after losing his job and splitting up with his girlfriend. However, as the football tournament progresses his luck begins to turn, firstly because of England's successes on the pitch, and secondly because of his encounter with a mysterious woman.

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Plot Keywords:

euro | friend | soccer | london england | wembley stadium | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Sport

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 May 1998 (UK)

Also Known As:

Mi verano salvaje

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Football's coming home

This rates as one of my favourite sporting programmes ever. Neil Morrissey plays Martin, a massive soccer fan, who we focus on during the 1996 European Championships (Euro '96) which was being played in England.

His boss insists that he attend a social event on a Saturday afternoon to prove his commitment to the firm, unfortunately, this clashes with the opening match of the tournament, England versus Switzerland, so Martin promptly quits, insulting his boss in the process.

Free to enjoy the football at his leisure, Martin bumps into the mysterious Rosie (Rachel Weisz) who never seems to stick around for very long. During England's victories over Scotland and Holland, Martin's passion for Rosie increases.

The tournament progresses to the knock out stages, and England move from the quarter finals where they beat Spain (watched by Martin in a tapas bar) into the semi finals where they meet arch-nemesis' Germany, and crash out during a penalty shoot-out.

The recreation of the enthusiasm and fervour of Euro '96 is brilliantly recreated to full effect, and aside from the obvious painful conclusion (for England fans, at least) this gets 5 out of 5 for entertainment.