Sixty Six

In the autumnal chill of November 1965, North London was abuzz with the impending celebration of Bernie Reubens' (Gregg Sulkin) bat Mitzvah, a milestone marking his transition into adulthood. Living with his mother Esther (Helena Bonham Carter), a free-spirited woman with a passion for dance, and father Immanuel "Manny" Reubens (Eddie Marsan), a man consumed by obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and an unyielding commitment to order, Bernie's family life was marked by eccentricities. Manny's grocery store, a staple in the community, struggled to compete with the arrival of a new supermarket next door, but his refusal to sell out and adapt only exacerbated their financial woes.

Meanwhile, Bernie faced bullying at school and neglect from his own brother Alvie (Ben Newton), who seemed to take great pleasure in belittling him. The Reubens family's dynamics were further complicated by Manny's inability to connect with his sons on a deeper level. His relationship with Esther, however, was built upon a foundation of shared passion for dance, which had brought them together in the first place.

As Bernie's bat Mitzvah approached, he became fixated on outshining Alvie's own celebration and meticulously planned an elaborate reception to prove himself. The bash would feature a customized cocktail menu, formal dinner, and performances by Frankie Vaughan (letter sent, awaiting response) at the Henshaw hotel. But with his family's finances in shambles and their grocery store struggling to stay afloat, Bernie's grand plans were met with skepticism.

To make matters worse, Bernie was diagnosed with asthma and underwent treatment from Dr. Barrie (Stephen Rea), an experience that only added to his growing sense of disillusionment. When Manny failed to attend his son's bat Mitzvah class, leaving Bernie feeling humiliated and ignored, the family was forced to scale back their expectations for the big day.

As it turned out, Bernie's Bat Mitzvah coincided with the 1965 World Cup Final, a development that filled him with trepidation. With England's qualification hanging in the balance, Bernie could only hope that his team would fail to qualify, allowing him to salvage what was left of his special day.

As Manny makes the unexpected decision to swap his grocery store for a shoe shop, the world of international soccer springs to life with England's opening match against Uruguay ending in a stalemate. Meanwhile, behind closed doors, Manny faces an uphill battle as he prepares to sell his store to a supermarket, but hits a snag when the manager demands access to five years' worth of tax records. The issue lies in Manny's reluctance to reveal his true income, which has allowed him to stash away valuable savings - a secret that threatens to undermine the sale value of his business.

As tensions rise, Manny and Esther are forced to relocate their daughter's Bat Mitzvah celebration to the local community center, a move that is soon overshadowed by Jimmy's purchase of the shoe shop. Manny finds himself in an awkward position, as he must now work for the man who has bought out his life-long passion.

On the pitch, England continues to defy the odds, defeating Mexico and then France 2-0, with Manny and his family cheering on their team from a distance. However, the celebration soon turns to chaos when a wayward rocket sets ablaze Manny's home, incinerating his entire savings - a fortune he had squirreled away in cash to avoid paying taxes.

In the aftermath of this devastating blow, Manny lashes out at Esther, accusing her of having an affair with Jimmy. He later cools down and comes to regret his harsh words. Meanwhile, Bernie becomes embroiled in a dramatic turn of events when he stumbles upon Dr. Barrie's infidelity, hiding in the doctor's bedroom cupboard as the truth unfolds.

As England marches towards the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final, the community is gripped by soccer fever, with most guests making excuses to skip Manny and Esther's daughter's Bat Mitzvah celebration so they can watch the game. Even the caterer cancels, leaving Aunt Lila (Catherine Tate) to frantically bake a lackluster cake. In the face of this chaos, Manny contemplates abandoning his shoe shop job, but is left speechless when he discovers Jimmy's injury - and subsequently decides to stay on.

As the momentous occasion unfolds, a motley crew of guests appears on the scene. Meanwhile, Manny and Esther embark on a frantic search for their errant friend Bernie, only to uncover in the depths of his basement a treasure trove of preparations he had meticulously put together for this very day. As they delve deeper into the evidence, they uncover the crux of Bernie's discontent: a nagging sense of unease stemming from the infamous Bat Mitzvah celebration of Alvie, an experience that has left an indelible mark on his psyche.

As tensions reach a fever pitch, Bernie's patriarch takes charge, whisking his son away to Wembley Stadium in a last-ditch effort to salvage the day. And so, they arrive just in time to witness the nail-biting conclusion of the much-anticipated match between England and West Germany. As the clock ticks down, West Germany strikes with a dramatic late goal, sending the game into extra time. But England refuses to yield, retaliating with two goals to secure a thrilling 4-2 victory, a triumphant finale that ultimately redeems Bernie's day.