The Four Year Plan

The Four Year Plan is an engrossing 2011 sports documentary that offers an intriguing and insightful look into the intricate world of professional football. Produced by Ad Hoc Films and directed by Mat Hodgson, the film features such prominent figures as Alejandro Agag, Gareth Ainsworth, and Amit Bhatia.

The Four Year Plan follows the drama and the thrill that unfolds in the Queen's Park Rangers Football Club (QPR), a team once dedicated to hope, ambition, and survival in the challenging world of football. The film provides a rare and unfiltered view into the club's struggles and triumphs over a period of four tumultuous years, a journey instigated by a significant change in the club's ownership. The highs, lows, victories and failures are all meticulously chronicled, serving as a testament to the resilience of both the team and its stalwarts.

One of the central figures in the documentary, Alejandro Agag, is a Spaniard who is known for his involvement in Formula E and his association with Formula 1 racing. However, in the film, Agag is shown as one of the new owners of the QPR, representing the Italian businessman Flavio Briatore. Although Agag is mostly known for his exploits in motor racing, The Four Year Plan brings to light his stint with football.

Amit Bhatia, the vice-chairman of the Rangers during the time, is a figure of calm and reassurance amidst the highs and lows of the club. The Indian businessman is known not just for his business acumen but also his dedication and passion for the game. The documentary captures Bhatia's steady commitment and unwavering support as the QPR moves towards its ambitious plan.

Former footballer Gareth Ainsworth also features significantly in the documentary, especially during the times he served as a player and manager for the club. Ainsworth, who was the 'caretaker manager' during a portion of the four-year period, provides a unique perspective, being involved both on and off the field. His perspective in the film offers tantalizing insights for football fans eager to understand the internal dynamics of a football club.

The Four Year Plan features numerous ups and downs, a series of managerial journey, idiosyncratic decisions, and how the team copes up with the rollercoaster ride. High-stakes boardroom meetings, intense training sessions, wild fans, and crucial games shape the narrative, giving audiences an unrestricted and never-seen-before glimpse into the functioning of a football club. The film is shot in a 'fly-on-the-wall' style, enhancing the authenticity of the experience.

Furthermore, the film does not shy away from capturing the conflicts erupting between the Italian owners and the English employees, highlighting how these contrasts led to uneasy and often turbulent interactions. These moments in the film serve as an exploration of corporate power dynamics within one of the most loved and followed sports in the world, exposing the stark contrast between the glamorous world of the owners and the gritty reality of the football field.

There are moments of humour as well as emotion, power struggles, and heartwarming camaraderie. It is a story of real people with real dreams, and that makes it relatable beyond the football fans. The Four Year Plan is a unique and riveting account of ambition, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of success. Whether you are a football enthusiast or not, this film provides a compelling look at what it means to move ahead with an ambitious plan, no matter how difficult the journey might be.

Expect dramatic scenes, suspenseful narrative, and a power-packed representation of a football club's life. The Four Year Plan stands as an exciting documentary that both delights and informs, providing a rare glimpse into football’s behind-the-scenes action that is equally engaging and educating.