One Leg Kicking

One Leg Kicking

Year: 2001

Runtime: 98 mins

Language: English

Director: Wei Koh

Comedy

Underdogs form a football team to compete in a league, with the prize a trip to the 2002 World Cup finals. The squad includes a widowed father of two, an ex‑con, a lounge singer battling the karaoke machine, and a tough tomboy. They go from misfits to contenders, learning sportsmanship and life lessons that make them better individuals and friends.

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Timeline & Setting – One Leg Kicking (2001)

Explore the full timeline and setting of One Leg Kicking (2001). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 2000s

The events take place in the early 2000s, with references to contemporary media and a competition whose prize includes tickets to the 2002 World Cup Finals. The characters juggle day jobs, family responsibilities, and a shared passion for soccer, reflecting the era’s urban Singaporean life. The timeline builds toward the final match, where personal growth and teamwork determine the outcome. The narrative atmosphere blends working-class realism with hopeful sports aspirations.

Location

Singapore, Las Vegas

The story unfolds mainly in Singapore, depicting a close-knit working-class setting where soccer acts as a lifeline for friends and colleagues. It also shows a glimpse of Vernon’s evolving dream in Las Vegas, hinting at ambitions beyond the city. The locations span from family homes and factories to pubs and street-level pitches, painting a vivid picture of early 2000s urban life and community spirit. The setting anchors the characters’ struggles, camaraderie, and eventual triumphs.

🏙️ Urban 🇸🇬 Singapore ⚽️ Soccer culture

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:35

Main Characters – One Leg Kicking (2001)

Meet the key characters of One Leg Kicking (2001), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Handsome Toh (Mark Lee)

An ex-convict with a volatile temper who finds purpose through soccer and loyalty to his teammates. His rough exterior hides vulnerability, especially in moments with Gwen and Kim, revealing a struggle between anger and a desire to belong.

⚡️ Anger 🧭 Redemption ⚽️ Soccer Enthusiast

Tai Po (Gurmit Singh)

A devoted family man who battles feelings of failure while staying formidable on the field. He learns to balance pride with humility, emerging as a capable leader who keeps the team together through tough times.

🧭 Leadership 💪 Resilience ⚽️ Soccer Player

Sonny Lee (Lim Kay Tong)

A demanding factory owner who wields authority over workers yet shows a willingness to invest in their success. His tough exterior occasionally softens, offering crucial support when the team needs it most.

🏢 Boss ⚽️ Soccer Support

Gavin (Robin Leong)

The corporate-spirited antagonist with a controlling streak, whose rivalry with Handsome fuels conflict. His vulnerability surfaces in moments where pride clashes with reality and power shifts.

🧠 Rival 🕹️ Control ⚽️ Player

Kim (Sharon Au)

A determined woman who shapes her own path, choosing independence over traditional expectations. She forms a complex bond with Handsome and anchors the team emotionally with resilience and clarity.

💃 Resilience 💖 Love ⚽️ Team Player

Sammy Best (Siva Choy)

A former soccer star now working at a construction site, his past wisdom helps steer the team toward salvation. He embodies a fallen talent who still carries hope for redemption through mentoring others.

🧭 Wisdom 🏗️ Working Class ⚽️ Mentor

Gwen (Fiona Xie)

Gavin’s sister and the Kosmos team manager whose presence adds a layer of seduction and tension. She seeks personal autonomy, influencing the emotional dynamics of the group.

🎭 Influence 💔 Love ⚽️ Manager

Eugene (Hossan Leong)

The team coach whose guidance often stumbles, yet his perseverance encourages the players to push through adversity. He embodies the belief that leadership includes motivation and moral support.

🎯 Coach 🧭 Motivator ⚽️ Teamwork

Vernon (Unknown)

A singer with big dreams who struggles with career pressures and expectations. His journey intersects with the team’s fate, illustrating the pull between artistry, finances, and friendship.

🎤 Dreamer 🕊️ Struggle ⚽️ Friend

Baka (Unknown)

A loyal teammate who endures financial strain and hardship for the sake of the squad. He embodies grit, resilience, and the collective spirit of the Durians.

🤝 Teammate 💪 Loyalty ⚽️ Squad

Adriano (Brazilian Soccer Expert) (Unknown)

One of the Brazilian soccer experts recruited to strengthen the Durians, bringing skill and international flair to the squad. His presence elevates the team’s play and confidence.

⚽️ Skill 🌎 International 🏆 Competence

Vernato (Brazilian Soccer Expert) (Unknown)

The other Brazilian recruit who adds flair and technical ability, helping the team push toward the finals with new tactical options.

⚽️ Flair 🌎 International 🥅 Goal

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:35

Major Themes – One Leg Kicking (2001)

Explore the central themes of One Leg Kicking (2001), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Friendship

Friendship threads Tai Po, Handsome, Kim, Vernon, and the rest of the team as they face financial strain, injuries, and personal flaws. Their mutual support sustains them through workplace tensions and heartbreak. The group’s unity grows as they recruit outsiders and train together, showing that loyalty often fuels resilience more than individual talent. The theme highlights how camaraderie can propel ordinary people to extraordinary efforts.

🔥 Anger & Redemption

Handsome’s volatile temper tests relationships and threatens team harmony. The story traces his path toward self-control and accountability, demonstrating how anger can hinder or heal depending on choices made. Other characters confront their own flaws, learning to channel frustration into discipline and teamwork. Redemption emerges through personal growth and responsible actions both on and off the pitch.

🎯 Dreams & Ambition

The Durians chase a big prize—the World Cup finals tickets—despite obstacles and financial pressures. Each member pursues a better life, whether through coaching, singing, or new business ventures. Ambition collides with harsh realities like injuries and boss expectations, testing loyalty and resolve. The finale tests whether collective dreams can override individual compromises.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family

Family ties ground the characters, from Tai Po’s relationship with his children to Kim’s broader responsibilities. The film emphasizes sacrifice, support systems, and the impact of coming from a family with complex dynamics. Even as personal ambitions pull them in different directions, family bonds provide the emotional core that sustains the team. These relationships give meaning to their perseverance and choices.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:35

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