I’m emotional. I’ve just fallen for David Beckham after binge-watching his four-part documentary series in the early hours of this morning when really I should have been sleeping.
I’m not a football fan and I didn’t dream of ever being a Spice Girl – though I liked the music I would have always chosen All Saints – but Victoria and David Beckham are part of my living history.
Besides them being cultural icons, they also feature in a standout teen memory of mine where I queued up for the first – and last time – for them to sign my CD single of Out Of Your Mind, the number 2 chart single that Victoria Beckham featured on with Dane Bowers. As a huge Another Level fan, I wasn’t even bothered about Victoria or David who was a surprise guest but felt it rude just to get Dane to sign my CD. Gutted, I’m unsure where it is now…
Anyway, Beckham is such a beautiful and revealing catalogue of the key moments in the life of David and all those who have been on this journey with him. I’ve seen several reviewers call it carefully curated PR but find it odd that people genuinely expect a down-and-dirty tell-all. People don’t want that. They want emotional titillation and escapism.
One of my favourite feelings in the world is when you’re watching something and your heart races, at points you forget to breathe and you’re talking to the screen. Despite knowing the story to date, there’s nothing like hearing David discuss these defining moments and learning that he is a dedicated, possibly slightly OCD, fun-loving, ambitious, generous, and gifted sportsman.
I felt as an observer that you were given an authentic, genuine glimpse of who he is as a person, the humanity behind a living legend.
In no particular order, here are some of my learnings and takeaways.
We all need a Gary Neville
How awesome is Gary Neville? In episodes 1 and 2, Gary appears frequently, complimenting the main narrative by giving his perspective. What struck me repeatedly is how much Gary Neville has David Beckham’s back. He’s the best friend you need to have and are blessed to find.
He knew his place in the team and didn’t seem to have any ounce of entitlement or resentment of David. He’s thoughtful about what he says – never a disparaging word about David’s character – but is honest about his assessment of situations that we less than ideal like The Beckhams’ decision to wear purple at their wedding or when Victoria was giving David grief about him needing to be at the birth of their child just ahead of a critical match. Neville responds “Switch off your phone, mate”.
I’m not a football fan, though I could name a good chunk of the players, so I knew Gary Neville on sight but I warmed to him immensely.
I’m all for a bald David Beckham
David Beckham is a beautiful man. David Beckham with a shaved head? Jaw-dropping.
The abuse of David by football fans and the media is unfathomable
I remember the foreroar around David being sent off during an important England vs. Argentina game but didn’t realise how unforgiving everyone was for such a sustained period. Hearing the constant verbal abuse, the burning of effigies, the death threats, and watching him and his loved ones speak about them, it’s clear the emotional scars remain.
Victoria Beckham is in the classic shunned girlfriend/wife position
Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t like Victoria. David’s teammates thought he was obsessed. I’m convinced his Mum wasn’t a fan at first, particularly as she used to call David at 3 a.m. before a match.
It was interesting to hear her be frank about her experiences as a mother having to move her kids around at the beck and call of her husband (pun intended).
To be honest, despite her frankness, the documentary didn’t particularly make her feel accessible. Not that she needs to be. What is clear is that he was absolutely besotted with her. After 26 years together they seem like best friends and what a privilege of life to have someone who has known you that well for so long.
The Rebecca Loos affair now makes more sense now
I was a teenager when this was news so I knew it was happening but it was grown folk’s business. I did wonder as the documentary progressed whether they would address the scenario. They touched upon it without dwelling on it and I was quite impressed with how it was done.
It also made sense when you realise it happened when David was disoriented in his life. He’d been sold by his manager, was away from his family, he’d spent months being booed for getting sent off during a crucial match. He was lonely. He seems to love his wife from the moment he saw her on television for the first time and declared he was going to marry her.
The production is stunning with director Fisher Stevens
The cinematography in this documentary is beautiful. Seeing people’s emotions up close as they relive their sporting moments is beautiful to watch. An additional star in the mix is the director, Fisher Stevens.
At times, we hear Fisher ask questions that you’d want answered or make quips that feel less like a standard documentary and more like a three-way conversation. The soundtrack was the perfect co-driver to the story when you’re watching a moment, and the lyrics perfectly encapsulate what’s happening.
The deterioration of the Alex Ferguson relationship must have been devastating
I didn’t realise the depths of David Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson’s relationship. To sell him and not speak to him afterwards is quite an emotionally violent act when you consider David had known him since boyhood.
It was interesting to see that, actually, for all the money footballers make, it comes at a cost. To an extent, footballers sell their autonomy. As the owner of Galaxy FC said when David wanted to extend his loan to AC Milan, “No David, we own you.”
Glen Hoddle’s a bit of a d***
That’s it – that’s the point.
It was enjoyable to see his highs and new ventures. Heartbreaking to see him relive his lows and humbling to see that David Beckham is a mild-mannered man who works hard and values his family. Really great piece of documentation.
Beckham is available now on Netflix
