Once in a Lifetime - The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos (2006)

Bombastic, inaccurate and, like the NASL, almost but not quite

The movie itself is highly entertaining and much better than the book. It still paints a picture as if the league never took off until Pele came along. Yes and no. Portland became "Soccer City" prior to Pele's arrival and Seattle and Tampa were certainly on their way.

I also think they overplay the Cosmos ruling NY angle (the NY Yankees were a pretty big story during the '70s when Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson ruled the roost) and the impact soccer had. The TV ratings nationally were abysmal even during the 1977-80 heyday.

That said, get the DVD! It has so many fascinating background takes on all that went on with the Cosmos and the NASL, it is both a fun ride and a cautionary tale of what excess can do ultimately to your "product."

The extras are not all that great. You get the 1980 and 1981 Soccer Bowls and the Pele Farewell Game vs. his old club team Santos (Brazil). They are basically 20-min. condensed extendo hilites and just emphasize how bad Jim "Village of Vancouver" McKay's toupe and play-by-play commentary was. Also, it seems the copies they got of the original tapes lacked lighting. I was constantly cranking up the brightness on my TV to "see" the action better.

And of all the Soccer Bowls, why 1981? That was a dull (and I'm not spoiling it really) 0-0 affair in which the Chicago Sting won in a shootout in rainy boring Toronto. Put the 1977 Soccer Bowl vs. Seattle on there as that was Pele's lone NASL championship (that I have on excellent quality video bought off some firm that did NASL game tapes in the '80s out of Natchez, MS, so it is out there available from collectors). Or throw on one of the many thrilling matches the Cosmos had vs. either the Vancouver Whitecaps or the Tampa Bay Rowdies to show the "real" NASL.

The Farewell Game is dull beyond belief. It's typical of friendlies (exhibition matches) so I was not expecting much. Other than seeing Frank Gifford as emcee in his ultrayellow Monday Night Football ABC blazer, it's really not worth adding here other than for historians.

If they ever re-release this DVD, whack on some better extras. May 5, 2008

Rise and Fall of American Soccer

Once in a Lifetime tells the story of the rise and fall of the North American Soccer League through the story of the New York Cosmos. The Cosmos were the brainchild of Warner Brothers Chairman Steve Ross. In order to keep the Ertegun brothers (Ahmet and Nesuhi) recording for his Atlantic Record label he decides to become the owner of a professional soccer team. This was unheard of at the time as soccer was virtually unknown in the United States.

The film follows the rapid rise of the team with the acquisition of Pele (the highest paid and most famous soccer star of all times. Pele is followed by a group of other stars( notably Georgio Chinaglia, who becomes the villan of the piece) and the Cosmos it seems cannot be stopped.

As soccer gets more popular the team moves from its home on Randalls Island to Giants Stadium. Alas the league grew too fast and television contracts proved to be too elusive and the entire empire came tumbling down on its own weight.

For what it's worth this is an interesting documentary that is well worth a view by both fans and non fans alike.

The disc contains compressed highlight reels of major matches and interviews with those who surrounded Pele, but no interview with the great player himself.

Worth a rental just for old times sake. Also look for a great soundtrack of the hits of the day. September 11, 2007

A Premier Division Sports Documentary

Why the world's most popular sport has never truly taken on in the USA is still a tad baffling, but this excellent well-researched documentary describes how soccer very nearly got a foothold in American popular culture in the 70's/8o's via the New York Cosmos, and why internal politics and commerce stopped soccer becoming the major American sport it should be. Let's hope David Beckham's recent transfer to LA Galaxy might get American interest in soccer snowballing again. July 16, 2007

For hard-core soccer historians

Soccer takes root in the United States ... or does it? This documentary chronicles the rise and fall of the New York Cosmos, a professional soccer club in the 1970s and 1980s. If you were a soccer fan looking forward to seeing lots of action and Pele playing, you may be disappointed. Most of the movie is off the field and consists of detailed back story with regard to the growth and eventual financial death of the soccer franchise.

The broader issue is one of soccer in America and how it will take hold. Thirty years after the developments portrayed in the movie, we are still wondering when or if soccer will take root in the United States.

Doubtlessly at the youth level, there is massive participation and growth. However, something happens in the high school and college years which separates United States soccer from the world level and dilutes its popularity. Three decades after Pelé and the New York Cosmos, the MLS continues to draw adequate though not spectacular crowds and TV ratings.
Much of the second half of the documentary involves villainizing Giorgio Chinaglia, a somewhat Machiavellian player brought to the Cosmos to rejuvenate the franchise.

If you are looking for loads of soccer action, rent another DVD.

If you were interested in the history of soccer in the United States as the sport struggles for domestic popularity, by all means rent "Once in a Lifetime." May 28, 2007

Accurate portrayal of A Great Time !!!

I worked for Warner/Cosmos for two years in the late 70's early 80's partly in Pele's office. This movie was a very accurate portrayal of the "scene". I especially like the Warner Executive's description of Pele's entourage. Schisto was a really nice guy and Pele was always the one bringing in those new very cute Brazilian players to the team, Marino stands out in my mind. I'm so glad they captured the offices and especially the doors of the elevators with the pictures of the Players on them and the BRIGHT yellow phones! No shots of the parties at the Stadium Club though after the games. That was where you would always see the players and the guests. Eric Heiden stands out most in my mind. He had thighs bigger than my waste. If you like Soccer and you like 70's Rock N Roll...you'll LOVE this movie! Very very very funny! April 29, 2007

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