What Is Goal II: Living the Dream (2007) About?
“Goal II: Living the Dream” is a sports drama film released in 2007, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. It is the sequel to the 2005 film “Goal! The Dream Begins.” The movie follows the journey of Santiago Muñez, a young footballer from Los Angeles, as he continues to pursue his dream of becoming a professional soccer player.
In this sequel, Santiago Muñez (played by Kuno Becker) moves to Real Madrid to join one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world. The film explores his struggles and triumphs as he navigates the challenges of professional football, including competition from other players, injuries, and personal relationships. Throughout the movie, Santiago must confront his own doubts and insecurities while striving to prove himself on the field and earn the respect of his teammates and coaches.
“Goal II: Living the Dream” combines elements of sports drama with themes of ambition, determination, and the importance of friendship and loyalty. It offers viewers an inside look at the world of professional football and the sacrifices and dedication required to succeed at the highest level.
| Title | Goal II: Living the Dream |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2007 |
| Director | Jaume Collet-Serra |
| Main Character | Santiago Muñez |
| Genre | Sports Drama |
| Setting | Primarily in Madrid, Spain |
| Plot | Follows Santiago’s journey as he joins Real Madrid to pursue his dream of becoming a professional soccer player. Explores his challenges, triumphs, and personal growth in the competitive world of football. |
| Themes | Ambition, determination, friendship, loyalty |
| Cast | Kuno Becker, Alessandro Nivola, Anna Friel, Stephen Dillane, Rutger Hauer, Santiago Cabrera |
| Reception | Mixed reviews from critics, but generally well-received by fans of sports dramas. |
| Box Office | Grossed approximately $9.9 million worldwide. |
What Is the Plot of the Movie?
Santiago Muñez, the star player for Newcastle United, transfers to Real Madrid, leaving his fiancée Roz Harmison behind in Newcastle as she completes her nursing training. His former teammate Gavin Harris is also at Real Madrid. In his first game, Santiago substitutes Gavin and leads Real Madrid to victory. Santiago quickly becomes the star player and buys a home for himself and Roz.
During a commercial shoot, Santiago is confronted by Enrique, his long-lost half-brother, who shows him a picture of their mother, Rosa María, who abandoned Santiago when he was a child. Santiago discovers that his grandmother, Mercedes, knew Rosa lived in Madrid. In his first start for Real Madrid against Valencia, Santiago receives a red card for a tackle.
At a bar after the game, Santiago is approached by sports TV personality Jordana García. They get drunk and share a kiss, causing Santiago to miss the team flight to Trondheim for a UEFA Champions League game. He is disciplined by the club manager, Rudi Van Der Merwe, and left out of the team. Santiago later fires his agent, Glen Foy, in anger.
Gavin becomes Santiago’s roommate after being evicted due to his agent’s failure to pay rent. During a casual football game at home, Santiago injures his knee, prompting strict rehabilitation ordered by Rudi, the club manager. This prevents him from spending Christmas with Roz in Newcastle, adding to their recent disagreements stemming from their long-distance relationship.
At Gavin’s New Year’s Eve party, Santiago and Jordana share another kiss, which gets leaked to the press, leading Roz to end their relationship. Santiago encounters Enrique, leading to an argument where Enrique steals Santiago’s gear bag and seeks refuge at his parents’ diner, where his mother forbids him from seeing Santiago. Meanwhile, Gavin makes a comeback in the Real Madrid first team.
During a club event, Santiago’s Lamborghini is stolen by Enrique, who crashes it and gets severely injured. Santiago takes responsibility for the crash to the police but assaults a reporter who sneaks a picture. While being arrested, Santiago sees his mother, Rosa, arrive at the hospital.
After scoring the winning goal against Lyon, securing Real Madrid’s spot in the Champions League final, Santiago visits Rosa. She reveals she left him in Madrid as a child out of fear for her safety after being attacked by two men, one of whom was Santiago’s uncle. When she returned to Mexico three weeks later, her family had already left for the United States. Santiago then reunites with a healed Enrique.
Before the final against Arsenal, Santiago asks Rudi to start Gavin instead of him to improve Gavin’s chances of getting a contract extension and making it to the England squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Santiago also reaches out and apologizes to Roz. In the match, Gavin starts but concedes a penalty to Arsenal in the first minute, allowing them to take the lead.
Santiago is brought in during the second half to play alongside Gavin. Despite Arsenal gaining a 2-0 lead and having a chance to extend it further with another penalty, Iker Casillas saves the shot. Santiago and Gavin combine, leading to Gavin scoring a goal to narrow the lead to 2-1. In the final moments, Santiago scores, equalizing the score. Then, in the last few seconds, David Beckham secures victory with a direct free kick, winning the Champions League for the team.
Reasons to Watch It
“Goal II: Living the Dream” provides thrilling football action and an emotional storyline, following Santiago Muñez’s journey as he pursues his dreams amidst challenges both on and off the field. With its international setting, strong performances, and messages of perseverance, the film offers an engaging and inspiring viewing experience for both sports enthusiasts and general audiences.
- Exciting Football Action:
- The film offers thrilling football (soccer) action sequences, including intense matches and dramatic moments on the field, which can be entertaining for sports enthusiasts.
- Emotional Storyline:
- The movie explores themes such as ambition, determination, friendship, and family, offering viewers an emotional journey alongside the characters as they navigate their personal and professional lives.
- Continuation of a Popular Franchise:
- “Goal II: Living the Dream” is a sequel to the successful film “Goal! The Dream Begins,” continuing the story of Santiago Muñez’s journey in the world of professional football. Fans of the first movie may enjoy seeing the continuation of Santiago’s story.
- International Setting:
- The film takes place in iconic football locations such as Madrid, Spain, and features appearances by real-life football stars like David Beckham, adding an authentic and international flair to the storyline.
- Strong Performances:
- The cast delivers strong performances, portraying the struggles, triumphs, and relationships of their characters convincingly, which can draw viewers into the story and make for an engaging viewing experience.
- Messages of Perseverance and Redemption:
- Through Santiago’s journey, the film emphasizes the importance of perseverance, hard work, and redemption, making it not only entertaining but also inspiring for audiences.
Overall, “Goal II: Living the Dream” offers a compelling mix of sports action, drama, and emotional depth, making it worth watching for both football fans and general audiences alike.
Is the Movie a Real or Fictional Story?
“Goal II: Living the Dream” is a fictional story. While it incorporates real football clubs, players, and settings, the narrative itself and the characters’ experiences are fictional creations for the purpose of entertainment.
| Type | Fictional Film |
|---|---|
| Story | Fictional |
| Characters | Fictional |
| Setting | Incorporates real locations, but the storyline is fictional |
| Events | Imaginary, not based on real-life occurrences |
| Purpose | Created for entertainment, not based on true events |
Is It Critically Panned or Acclaimed?
“Goal II: Living the Dream” received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. While some viewers enjoyed the film for its football action and emotional storyline, others criticized it for its clichés and predictable plot. Overall, it can be considered more critically panned than acclaimed.
| Reception | Mixed Reviews |
|---|---|
| Critical | Mixed reviews from critics, leaning towards negative |
| Audience | Varied reactions, some enjoyed it while others criticized |
| Overall | More critically panned than acclaimed |
What Does the Movie Explore?
“Goal II: Living the Dream” intricately explores the journey of Santiago Muñez, whose burning ambition propels him towards his dream of professional football stardom. Through Santiago’s unwavering determination, the film paints a vivid picture of the sacrifices and hardships he endures in pursuit of his goals. It illustrates the resilience required to navigate the competitive world of football, capturing Santiago’s relentless drive to overcome challenges and setbacks on his path to success.
Amidst Santiago’s quest for glory, the film also delves into the complexities of relationships, both romantic and platonic. Santiago’s friendships, particularly with fellow footballer Gavin Harris, showcase the bonds formed through shared struggles and triumphs. Additionally, his romantic relationship with Roz adds layers of emotional depth as Santiago grapples with balancing his aspirations with his personal life. Through these intricate relationships, “Goal II: Living the Dream” offers poignant insights into the human experience, exploring themes of loyalty, redemption, and the importance of connections in the face of adversity.
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambition | Santiago Muñez’s relentless pursuit of his dream to become a professional footballer. |
| Determination | The perseverance and dedication required to overcome challenges and achieve success. |
| Friendship | The bonds formed between Santiago, Gavin, and other characters throughout their journey. |
| Loyalty | Santiago’s loyalty to his friends, teammates, and family, despite facing various obstacles. |
| Relationships | The complexities of romantic relationships, such as Santiago’s relationship with Roz. |
| Redemption | Santiago’s journey towards redemption, both on and off the football field. |
| Family | The discovery of Santiago’s family history and the importance of familial connections. |
Memorable Moments in the Movie
“Goal II: Living the Dream” features memorable moments such as Santiago’s triumphant debut at Real Madrid and the thrilling Champions League final against Arsenal, where Santiago’s selfless act and decisive goal contribute to the team’s victory, creating lasting impressions in the hearts of viewers. Additionally, Santiago’s emotional reunions with his long-lost brother Enrique and his mother Rosa María add depth to his personal journey, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
- Santiago’s Debut at Real Madrid:
- Santiago’s exhilarating debut for Real Madrid, where he leads the team to victory after being substituted for Gavin, marks a significant milestone in his journey towards football stardom.
- Santiago’s Injury:
- The moment when Santiago injures his knee during a casual football game at home not only serves as a setback in his career but also highlights the physical toll and risks associated with professional sports.
- The New Year’s Eve Party:
- At Gavin’s New Year’s Eve party, Santiago’s impulsive kiss with sports TV personality Jordana García sparks a chain of events that strains his relationship with Roz and sets the stage for further drama.
- The Champions League Final:
- The intense final match against Arsenal in the Champions League, where Santiago selflessly asks Rudi to start Gavin ahead of him, culminates in a thrilling comeback victory with Santiago scoring the equalizing goal and David Beckham’s last-second free kick securing the win.
- Reunion with Enrique and Rosa:
- Santiago’s emotional reunion with his long-lost half-brother Enrique and his mother Rosa María sheds light on his family history and provides closure to past unresolved issues, adding depth to Santiago’s personal journey.
These memorable moments, woven into the fabric of Santiago’s quest for success and personal growth, contribute to the film’s captivating narrative and resonate with audiences long after the credits roll.
Streaming Platforms to Watch the Movie From
“Goal II: Living the Dream” may be available for streaming on various platforms, but availability can vary depending on your location and the agreements between streaming services and content distributors. Here are some platforms where you might find the movie:
- Amazon Prime Video:
- Amazon often offers rental or purchase options for movies, including “Goal II: Living the Dream.”
- iTunes/Apple TV:
- You can rent or purchase digital copies of movies on iTunes or Apple TV, including “Goal II: Living the Dream.”
- Google Play Movies & TV:
- Similar to iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV allows you to rent or buy digital copies of movies.
- YouTube Movies:
- YouTube also offers rental and purchase options for a wide range of movies, including “Goal II: Living the Dream.”
- Netflix/Disney+/Hulu:
- While “Goal II: Living the Dream” may not be available on these platforms, it’s worth checking periodically as streaming libraries are updated regularly.
- Streaming Services in Your Region:
- Depending on your location, local streaming platforms may offer the movie for rental or purchase.
Remember to check the availability and pricing of the movie on these platforms in your region. Additionally, availability may change over time, so it’s a good idea to periodically check different streaming services for updates.
