The arrogance of power holds a special fascination for Peter Morgan, whose screenplays for The Last King of Scotland, The Queen, and Frost/Nixon rank among the juiciest historical dramas of the past few years. The last two movies also showcased the talented Michael Sheen, who adds to his gallery of public figures (Tony Blair, David Frost) with a sharp performance here as the legendary UK soccer coach Brian Clough. Using a rather involved flashback structure, Morgan chronicles Clough’s spectacular success in the 60s and 70s transforming Derby County from a trailing second-division team into first-division champs, and his equally spectacular failure trying to reform the dirty-dealing Leeds United in 1974. Yet the real contest is an extended, media-fueled ego clash between Clough, portrayed here as a cocky bastard who’ll listen to no one, and Don Revie (Colm Meaney), his lionized predecessor at Leeds. Tom Hooper directed; with Timothy Spall. R, 98 min.
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