Beckham review: a 'superb' portrait of the footballer and entrepreneur
Netflix's entertaining four-part documentary has plenty of 'gossipy nuggets' and moving scenes
![David Beckham and Victoria Beckham](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CV883NoWTKVmHMQtpkAWnG-415-80.jpg)
You might have expected Netflix's four-part documentary about David Beckham, and made by his own production company, to be a hagiography "that would offer a few tasty morsels, but would mostly polish the shiny tiara of Brand Beckham", said Carol Midgley in The Times. "And you would be right." There is also arguably some irony in the fact that it features a couple complaining about media intrusion while handing over family videos for a series about their personal lives. But the crucial question is: is the film entertaining? Well, "I binged the lot in one sitting".
Directed by Fisher Stevens (the PR man Hugo in "Succession"), it should appeal "whether you're a Manchester United season-ticket holder or more of a Victoria Beckham type", said Rebecca Nicholson in The Guardian. There are interviews with Beckham's parents (his mother in particular is "great value") as well as with celebrities from Eric Cantona and Rio Ferdinand to Anna Wintour. And though the documentary rather skirts over the allegations that he had an affair in the 2000s, "there are loads of gossipy nuggets": about the sarong, the many haircuts, and the decision to wear purple at his wedding – one he can no longer fathom.
Some of it is moving too, including the scenes in which Beckham and Alex Ferguson talk about how Ferguson turned on, then cast out, the boy "he'd raised like a son", said Benji Wilson in The Daily Telegraph. What ultimately emerges from this series is a "superb" portrait of both "an era and of an unexpectedly complex man".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up to the Arts & Life newsletter for reviews and recommendations
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Quiz of The Week: 20 - 26 July
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: The dark world of illicit gambling
Podcast Plus, the pension pot shortfall and Obama's silence on Harris
By The Week Staff Published
-
Leonora Carrington: Rebel Visionary – an exhibition of 'unearthly delights'
The 'captivating' show features over 70 pieces spanning everything from paintings to tapestries
By The Week UK Published
-
Leonora Carrington: Rebel Visionary – an exhibition of 'unearthly delights'
The 'captivating' show features over 70 pieces spanning everything from paintings to tapestries
By The Week UK Published
-
Patrick Bishop picks his five favourite books
The acclaimed historian chooses works by Ernest Hemingway, Richard Cobb and more
By The Week UK Published
-
Lady in the Lake: 'brooding' murder-mystery casts 'a potent spell'
Natalie Portman gives a 'scene-stealing' show in period thriller
By The Week UK Published
-
Twisters review: 'warm-blooded' film explores dangerous weather
The Week Recommends The film, focusing on 'tornado wranglers', stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell
By The Week UK Published
-
Is Maika Monroe the first feminist scream queen?
The Week Recommends The 'Longlegs' star has blazed a unique trail for herself in horror
By David Faris Published
-
In 'Twisters,' there are no winds of (climate) change
Talking Point The weather-focused blockbuster kicks up a swirl of controversy over a conspicuous and deliberate omission
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
6 coastal homes in Cape Cod
Feature Featuring a wall of glass in Mashpee and an undulating roofline in Wellfleet
By The Week Staff Published
-
Peng Shepherd's 6 favorite works with themes of magical realism
Feature The author recommends works by Susanna Clarke, George Saunders, and more
By The Week US Published