Celtic Soul DVD Review
“Celtic Soul” is a winning documentary.
Directed by Michael McNamara, 2016’s “Celtic Soul” is a muti-faceted documentary about friendship, sports, and heritage. The central premise involves actor/director Jay Baruchel (best known for “Knocked Up,” “Goon,” “This Is The End,” and the “How To Train Your Dragon” series) and Irish sports journalist Eoin O’Callaghan who met on Twitter and bonded over their love of the globally popular Scottish Premiership football team Celtic F.C. The two decide to embark on a road trip that begins in Jay Baruchel’s home and birthplace of Montreal and takes them to Dublin, Galway, Clifden, Westport, Glasgow, Lennoxtown and culminates in attending a Celtic F.C. game. Jay starts off by showing Eoin around Montreal which leads Eoin to showing Jay around Ireland where Jay’s ancestors originated from. The 2 see sights, attend sporting events, bask in natural surroundings, discover where Baruchel’s ancestors once lived, and, of course, joke around and banter with one another.
Despite what the cover and title suggest, “Celtic Soul” is much more than just a sports documentary. Granted, Jay and Eoin’s passion for Celtic F.C. is a big part of the story, but it’s also largely a road trip and travelogue story about cultures and birth places. Jay learning more about his heritage is really the focus of the first half of the film. Is it a bit self-serving? Perhaps, but it’s never short on charm.
As a fellow die hard sports fan, the documentary really taps into the importance of sports to individuals and communities. Seeing the documentary explores Celtic F.C.’s history and seeing how fans view Celtic’s stadium as a temple of sorts really shows how sports can be an almost spiritual experience. It’s also clearly a bonding experience for both Eoin and Jay. Some may take issue with their sometimes raunchy conversations, but for anyone who has ever seen Baruchel’s comedic films, it feels like watching one of his movies only this one happens to be a documentary.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: Widescreen. Grade: B
Audio Track: Stereo. Grade: B
No extras have been included.
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