Based on the controversial book by David Peace, The Damned Utd takes an abrasive look at the tempestuous 44 days legendary English coach Brian Clough spent in charge of Leeds Utd in the early 1970s. Although played superbly by Michael Sheen, Clough is nonetheless portrayed as a hard drinking, insecure and conceited man, which has, somewhat understandably, caused his family to denounce both the book and this subsequent film. With a slightly fractured narrative that makes it difficult to follow at points, this is a flawed film that, like the book that spawned it, takes many liberties with various characters and scenarios.
While it is undoubtedly lacking in parts, very little of this can be blamed squarely at the door of director Hooper, who does his best with material that can often feel far too condensed. Clough was obviously a hugely complicated man, and despite a barrage of choppy flashbacks, his persona is never explored to satisfactory effect, as the film simply doesn't have the structure to do him justice. Here, coach Peter Taylor is seen as the one with the brains, who was responsible for assembling the league winning team. Clough was apparently the 'man manager', who could make the players feel ten feet tall before going out and playing like their lives depended on it. But there is precious little of that shown on screen, and it hurts the film as whole, causing a lack of balance and projecting the image of someone who was all talk, with little to back it up. Despite the often downbeat tone, there is still enough here to warrant a gander.
You'd think Michael Sheen would be sick of playing real life characters but, if he is, he isn't showing it. He has essentially nailed Clough to the point that you forget you're watching an actor, and gradually begin to see the actual man himself. Spall too is excellent, more than playing his part in creating a genuine friendship between these two men for celluloid. The men at the centre of the film, along with some really nice comic touches, just about make this worth seeing. But a broader biopic would've done the legendary manager infinitely more justice, as opposed to the often sad, brazen figure painted in this film.