What I love about this scene is that what the Finnish guy is saying is that, no matter the outcome, as long as you did your best and you are happy, that is a gold medal right there
In Reality Matti, the Finnish Guy, did exactly what he said; after retiring from ski jumping; he drank and became a pornstar - He suffered ADHD; and tried to fill his overactive mind
Episode didn't happen in real life as Eddie himself have said. They met many times and sometimes Matti's team translated conversations as Matti had very modest/minimal english skills. But we Finns know that Matti did respect Eddie even if Eddie was usually last. He even stated that he is "proud" about Eddie. Matti once stated that everyone who jumps from Suurmäki (Lahti K116 hill), deserves his respect. There was episode in real life when journalist was making fun about Eddie with not-so-polite way and Matti was not happy about it. He defended Eddie and said to journalist: "Go to the tower and jump yourself if you dare". And we Finns loved Eddie like almost as one of us. He was popular figure in Finland also. He even learned to sing in finnish the song that had been made about him.
I really like Matti's perspective of the sport. Ik I'm kinda summing his words up whilst putting my own spin on this but: in the end competition is ultimately child's play and medals are pretty much equivalent to a 'free candy kidnapper's van'. I actually like this message cos it can pretty much apply to almost anything whether it be sport, science, art etc. If winning a medal, trophy, 'Well Done' sticker is all that matters to you then in a way you're preventing yourself from doing better than you used to. And like Matti said that'll kill you inside. I think that, without the distraction of a prize, it is important for us to remember 'why' we chose to do what we do in the first place. *Trigger Warning for crazy RU-vid commenters: you can agree or disagree but this is just how I see it.
So poetic that the celebrated winner saw himself in the loser and a joke that Eddie was. Matti knew that sports kept his ADHD in check and him mostly out of trouble.
He also knew what it was like to be the class clown and "loser " as he had a tough life. He was a lot smarter than people thought. So sad he is gone. ADHD people are some of the most tragic, underrated and intelligent people out there.
It’s such a great speech even though a lot of people don’t understand it. Matti understands(in the film, not real life)that doing your best amounts to a measure of personal satisfaction no level of reward can compete against. Getting straight A’s when you don’t even have to try is unfulfilling - but doing your absolute best, even if it’s not recognized by others, is fulfilling in a way nobody else but you can comprehend and can push you to new heights. This speech is motivating to everyone that exists if they’re able to understand it, and puts a novel perspective on failure vs effort. Even if you’re brand new to the gym, looking like an absolute fool - if you can get rid of the social expectations and gratification, and put 150% in to everyday you’re there you can still feel amazing about yourself and continue trying. This was one of my favorite scenes in all of cinema.
What this is about, is not comparing yourself to other people (that what little people do) but comparing yourself to who you where yesterday (the lesser you). The goal is not to out perform your peers but to transcend yourself. (your great potential)
If I had a nickel for every time I saw Edvin Endre and Taron Egerton acting together, I'd have two nickels - which isn't a lot, but it's still weird it happened twice.
There's a famous (famous in Finland at least) when a journalist approached Matti in one competition and asked "Matti, what are you thinking right now?" and he answered "Well, I'm always thinking about pussy, but lets jump first".
Yeah this is a tremendous scene. The point Matti is stressing here reminds me of this quote attributed to H.D.Thoreau: "Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." I think in his process trying to achieve success in sports and win a medal Eddie became aware of that and what was the motivation behind his ambitions. And what really matters in life. This is actually my second favourite scene of the movie, my favourite is Jackman's jump while they play Thin Lizzy's "Cowboy" song, it blew my mind when I saw it for the first time. Lizzy fan here, haha.
Wow, just googled him after reading your comment and saw that he died 2 days ago at age 55. Not that it surprises me really, I remember stories about his alcoholism, domestic violence, prison and his other shenanigans so it wouldn't have really shocked me had I read one day about Mattis suicide or some deadly DUI crash. But the last time I read about him was probably over a decade ago. According to the article I just read the cause of his dead is unknown so far. Apparently he suffered from diabetes but they wrote that he died suddenly at home. I guess they'll do an autopsy. Farewell Matti.
Yes but Matti Nykanen became a violent, abusive alcoholic who abused and assaulted his last wife many times, tried to kill members of his own family and even stabbed someone in a Pizza restaurant. An imbalanced lunatic!
He had ADHD so he meant it when he said he would be drinking if not for sports. I have so many guys like him in my familytree. They would destroy themselves without sports, one already has. He gave up hockey and is now in prison. Men need a reason for their lives.
Truee during the lockdown i was so frustrated and pissed at everything for no reason and then i started doing something completely different than what i could and used to do when there was no pandemic i feel so much better now even no what i do cannot be sold or even shown to anyone else.
What I love about this is to matti he first met Eddie when he looked like a tourist and tried to get a autograph on a bus ticket and then next thing they are both at the olympics
So glad they had this scene they give him confidence before the jump and the person he ended up riding the elevator with was a good guy and not a dickhead trying to sike him out so happy they made a good person have a great conversation with Eddie
Trying your best is the whole point of any sport but if you enjoy it then that’s awesome. Matti is a born jumper and is amazing at it, but has sooo much pressure because he is so good it. Still he loves the sport and will do his best even though people can take the fun out of it. Matti is doing what he loves and people are standing around looking at him. Eddie who can be said is a born jumper because attempting the sport at his age with no skill compared to matti is insane buttt Eddie loves it as well. No one is looking at Eddie to do the impossible but maybe a crash. Eddie is still going to do it because he loves the sport and want to do his best too. Matti respects him because really to matti it’s just two regular guys about to do their best in their sport. Even though they’re levels apart. In that they’re the same. Medals are whatever but doing your best is the whole point at the end of the day.
Eddie did have kindred spirits in the 1988 Winter Olympics, the Jamaican Bob sleighing team of course. They never met I don’t think but both won the hearts if not any medals for their “having a go “ spirit.
It's a simple message but a powerful one: results on a scoreboard and rankings against others are what the world values, they're not valuable in and of themselves. To a true competitor, a true sportsman, what matters is giving your absolute best. To pull out everything you have and leave everything on the table, no hesitation and no regrets required. If you can do that, then last place doesn't matter a damn bit. Because what will always be the most impressive feat is for someone to ACTUALLY do their best. Period.
My take is that if the Fin did his best or worst, he'd probably still win. Likewise with Eddie, best or worst he'd still finish last. That's the point, they're not there to win, but do their best
“ jumping is all that matters” that’s it end of. That for me is the most inspirational part of this great film . Yes maybe that was never said back in 1988 but for kids who watch this film it’s saying be it you come first or last never give up
