Make Us Dream

Make Us Dream is a 2018 documentary film that focuses on the life and career of one of Liverpool Football Club's most iconic players, Steven Gerrard. Directed by Sam Blair and produced by Academy Award winner James Gay-Rees, this sports documentary offers a powerful, emotive, and intimate portrayal of Gerrard's life, complete with testimonials, match footage, and personal in-depth interviews. The film also features key figures from Gerrard's illustrious career, including former Liverpool teammates Michael Owen and Steve Bruce.

The narrative of Make Us Dream unfolds chronologically, beginning with Gerrard’s formative years in Huyton, a city suburb of Liverpool. Here, we see Gerrard’s passion for football bloom alongside his unfaltering love for Liverpool F.C., which was stoked by his family's long association with the club. As the film progresses, we witness Gerrard’s transformation from a local lad and devoted fan to a youth academy prospect, and finally, to the living legend that bore the expectations of an entire city on his shoulders for nearly two decades.

The essence of Make Us Dream lies in its depiction of Steven Gerrard not just as a sports personality, but as a human being haunted by the relentless pursuit of his dream. The film doesn’t shy away from showcasing the immense pressure Gerrard had to face as the captain of Liverpool F.C. – a club with a deep heritage and globally dedicated fanbase. As viewers, we experience an intimate journey of Steven’s highs and lows, his victories and defeats, his joys and despairs, and his private thoughts about the game he loves and the life he lives.

In the documentary, the audience also gets an insider's view into Gerrard's key relationships, particularly his complex but indispensable partnership with Michael Owen. The tensions and the camaraderie between the two become evident as both players navigated personal aspirations while striving to deliver collective glory to their beloved club. The film also provides a glimpse into the wisdom and guidance provided by Steve Bruce, adding a layer of mentorship to Gerrard's personal and professional journey.

One of the strengths of Make Us Dream is that it doesn’t just focus on Gerrard’s professional contributions but also delves into his personal life. It gives us a peek into the lesser-known parts of his life – his bond with his family, the adversity he faced after some career-defining moments, and his transition to embracing new challenges after retiring from a long footballing career. This personal dimension not only enhances our understanding of Gerrard as an individual but also humanises this larger-than-life figure, making him ever more relatable.

Another integral component of Make Us Dream is the city of Liverpool itself. The film successfully portrays how closely knit the fervor of football and the sentiment of the city are. This documentary is not just about one man's dream or a club’s pursuit of glory, it encapsulates the spirit of a city that finds unity in football.

Make Us Dream deploys a dynamic visual style that is often pacy and dramatic, but also pauses at intervals to let the reality of the moment sink in. It effectively uses archival match footage coupled with commentary to drive its narrative. The high-intensity match scenes are beautifully intercut with quiet moments from Steven’s personal life, effectively conveying the push-pull dynamic that Gerrard faced throughout his career.

In conclusion, Make Us Dream is not just a film for soccer enthusiasts or Liverpool fans, but for anyone who has dared to dream and carry the weight of expectations. It is a deeply touching portrayal of Steven Gerrard's journey as an athlete, a captain, a leader, and a man – a testament to the paradox of how dreams can both inspire and haunt us. This documentary captures the essence of sports – the exhilaration of triumph, the heartache of defeat, the camaraderie among teammates, and above all, the unyielding responsibility of carrying the hopes of a city – in its most raw and honest form. The struggles, the victories, the joy, the tears – Make Us Dream successfully captures the heart of what it meant to be Steven Gerrard.