Sixty Six (film)

Sixty Six

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	2006
Founder	Paul Weiland (director)
Products	Biographical comedy-drama film

Sixty Six is a 2006 biographical comedy-drama that follows a bar mitzvah in London occurring simultaneously with the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final. The story draws inspiration from director Paul Weiland's personal life.

Plot

Bernie Reubens aims to host an extravagant bar mitzvah celebration to surpass his brother's event, but financial difficulties within the family necessitate a simpler gathering at their North London home. As England advances to the World Cup Final on the same day, numerous invitees choose to watch the match instead of attending the party. In the end, Bernie’s father takes him to Wembley Stadium to witness the final moments of the game.

Cast

• Gregg Sulkin as Bernie Reubens
• Helena Bonham Carter as Esther Reubens
• Eddie Marsan as Immanuel "Manny" Reubens
• Peter Serafinowicz as Uncle Jimmy / Mr Reubens, Sr. / Football Commentator
• Stephen Greif as Uncle Henry
• Catherine Tate as Aunt Lila
• Stephen Rea as Dr Barrie
• Geraldine Somerville as Alice Barrie
• Maria Charles as Mrs Glitzman
• Vincenzo Nicoli as Leo

Reception

The film holds a 65% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 52 critiques, with an average rating of 6.00/10. The general consensus notes that while Sixty Six is charming and features witty dialogue, it leans too heavily on sentimentality and predictable plotlines. On Metacritic, it has garnered a score of 57 out of 100 from 11 critics, indicating mixed or average feedback.

The Hollywood Reporter commended the movie for rising above its ethnic context to tell a universally relatable tale about a young boy seeking his identity in a challenging environment. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times praised Bernie’s narration and appreciated the film’s subtle comedic elements. The New York Times described it as a "melancholic comedy" that relies on cultural stereotypes, though in an inoffensive manner.

See also

• List of association football films

External links

• Sixty Six at BFI
• Sixty Six at British Council–Film
• Sixty Six at Lumiere