You don’t need to be a soccer fan to enjoy Saipan, which tells the story of Irish captain Roy Keane’s desertion of his team as they prepare for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Source: Australian Catholics.
The title refers to the island of the Northern Marianas in the Pacific where the Irish team was conducting a training camp ahead of the World Cup, hosted by Japan.
The film’s central character is champion footballer Roy Keane, who was destined from his childhood talent to achieve great things, including captaining Manchester United under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson. Keane is chosen to be the captain of the Irish team for the World Cup.
The other central character is Mike McCarthy, English of Irish descent, a former player for Ireland and now its manager.
Keane is played broodingly by Hardwicke (excellent as the sinister conman in the series, The Sixth Commandment). Coogan, veteran of so many dramas and comedies, is persuasive as McCarthy.
On arrival in Saipan, the team encounters various limitations, including the absence of footballs. The football pitch has potholes. The accommodation is a mix of luxury and broken-down air conditioners.
Management is concerned that Keane is becoming increasingly individualistic. He complains. He is aloof. He phones home. He upsets himself, continually criticising the conditions, increasingly moody.
The screenplay offers an initial acknowledgment that this is a true story, tweaked.
To many, Keane was a hero, hard done by. For others he was spoilt and cantankerous. The screenplay here opts for the latter.
The key scene is the final confrontation, after Keane gives a warts and all interview to a journalist.
Football lovers will know that what happened while audiences who do not will be intrigued to discover what actually happened to Ireland in the World Cup, 2002 (and some actual footage during the final credits).
Review by Fr Peter Malone MSC, Jesuit Media
Saipan: Starring Eanna Hardwicke, Steve Coogan, Peter McDonald. Director: Lisa Barros D’Sa, Glenn Leyburn. 91 minutes. Rated MA (Strong coarse language).
FULL REVIEW
Saipan (Australian Catholics)
