Santiago Munez (Kuno Becker), an illegal Mexican immigrant living in Los Angeles, lives and breathes soccer, but seems destined to live his life as a day laborer. His father, Hernan (Tony Plana), a stern hardworking man, discourages Santiago from playing soccer, believing it is only a feckless fantasy. One day, a former British professional, Glen Foy, spots Santiago playing in a pickup game, and promises him a tryout for Newcastle United. With the support of his doting grandmother, Santiago travels to England, and finds himself in a world where "football" is king, and "footballers" are Gods. His path to soccer stardom is tortuous and paved with pitfalls. Santiago must overcome a terrible tryout, a secret asthma condition, and the animosity of some of his teammates. However, with the guidance of Glen, the love of a plucky and beautiful nurse (Anna Friel), and the unexpected support by Newcastle United's playboy star Gavin Harris (Alessandro Nivola), Santiago finally finds himself in a position to score a pivotal goal and live his dream.

GOAL! THE DREAM BEGINS contains many of the familiar tropes of the zero-to-hero sports story, but it rises above the clichés of the genre through the quality of the screenplay and the excellence of the acting. Each of the many minor roles is played to humble perfection, and the film artfully juggles dozens of subplots: Santiago's problematic involvement with troubled superstar Gavin Harris, his romance with Roz, his friendship with Glen, and his strained relationship with his father. The film proves to be full of subtle warmth and surprisingly moving. Thrilling matches--and cameos by such soccer luminaries as David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane--will certainly appeal to soccer fans, but GOAL!'s charming story will appeal to almost anyone.

Theatrical Release: May 12, 2006

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.39
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English, French, Spanish
Subtitles - Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Music Video: "Playground Superstar" - Happy Monday
Audio Commentary: Filmmakers Commentary
Featurette:
1. GOLDEN MOMENTS OF THE FIFA WORLD CUP (TM)
2. "Behind The Pitch" -- How The Film's Intense Soccer Action Came Together Using Real Premiership Matches And The Actors
3. "THE BEAUTIFUL GAME" - Featurette On The Worldwide Soccer Phenomenon

Distributor Notes: Goal! The Dream Begins

Like the inspiring heroes in MIRACLE, REMEMBER THE TITANS, and THE ROOKIE, the amazingly gifted Santiago Mu?ez, a young immigrant living in the barrios of Los Angeles, has an impossible dream -- to play soccer for a world class team. Unexpectedly getting a tryout with one of England's premier soccer clubs, Newcastle United, Santiago finds himself totally alone in a world where soccer is a religion and the players are gods. Now he not only has to prove he has the passion, talent, and determination to make it alongside the best in the world, but he has to overcome his own demons and those of others. Filled with memorable characters, great heart, and real-life soccer legends, GOAL! THE DREAM BEGINS is a triumphant story about believing in your dreams.

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Kuno Becker: Actor, LUCIA LUCIA (2003)
Stephen Dillane: Actor/"Heading Home"
Anna Friel: Actress
Marcel Iures: 
Sean Pertwee: British actor
Alessandro Nivola: 
Kieran O'Brien: ACTOR\"BELLMAN & TRUE"
Tony Plana: Supporting Actor
Miriam Colon: Actress/B. Puerto Rico
Gary Lewis: Actor
Frances Barber: British Actress

Danny Cannon: Director/Screenwriter

Lawrence Bender: Producer

Graeme Revell: Score composer

Chris Dickens: Editor, GOAL! THE DREAM BEGINS (2006)

"[T]he film is capably acted and somewhat inspiring....Santiago's story of assimilation resonates..."
3 stars out of 5 -- "Its almost shameless embrace of style and sincerity offsets the structural flaws..."