Fisher Stevens is the producer and director of the four-part documentary series Beckham, which explores David Beckham’s life from his meteoric soccer career to his tabloid-worthy courtship and marriage to his long-term partner Victoria. Stevens gets access to David and Victoria Beckham as well as a number of David’s teammates from Real Madrid, the England national team, Manchester United, the Premier League team where he played much of his professional career, and more.

BECKHAM: DO YOU SKIP IT OR STREAM IT?

First Shot: David Beckham approaches the apiary he looks for while sporting a beekeeper’s costume embroidered with his initials.

The Brief: “The Kick,” a spectacular goal from the halfway line during a Wimbledon match in 1996, opens the first episode. Beckham had been a member of the club since 1991, when he was invited to join the youth team. He was 21 years old at the time. He joined the Premier League squad in 1995 and thrived under Sir Alex Ferguson, the great manager of Manchester United. However, it was that kick that turned him into the megastar that he is today, 27 years later.

As one of his teammates notes, he spent his money on a lot of fancy items, including watches, vehicles, clothes, and even pricey pens. However, his work ethic was shaped by his working-class upbringing in North London, and he would much rather drill corner kicks than partake in Manchester’s renowned nightlife.

However, Beckham made a point of seeing Posh Spice Victoria Adams when she appeared at a Man United match in 1997 alongside fellow Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm. He would tell his teammates that he would marry “the one in the black dress” after watching the music video for “Wannabe,” believing it to be predestined.

The pair instantly clicked and were dubbed Posh and Becks by the media, sparking a tabloid frenzy not seen since Charles and Diana’s golden age. He was so invested in their relationship that he would travel four hours from Manchester to London, spend an hour with her, and then return. Although the diversion didn’t seem to have an impact on his performance, he was a little disappointed that his now-fiance was traveling when he was selected for the England national team and the team qualified for the 1998 World Cup. However, information that he received shortly before England’s crucial game against fierce opponent Argentina may have had an impact on what he did in that match that resulted in a red card, meaning he was eliminated from the game.

Our View: While Beckham isn’t exactly a hagiography, it also won’t exactly cause a lot of debate. Maybe it’s because Beckham hasn’t exactly had a rough career—he and Victoria have been married for 24 years, had four children together, and he remains a legend even when he retires from playing soccer.

Stevens must thus continue by showcasing more private moments with Beckham and his family. Indeed, they are adorable: For example, the scene in the apiary is surprising. In one scenario, he stops Stevens’ interview with Victoria to inquire about the fact that her father, a “working-class,” was a very “old married couple” and that he drove a Rolls-Royce in the 1980s.

There will also be challenges and ups and downs in your profession, just like in anyone else’s. The controversy that erupted when Beckham went on a date with Victoria while sporting a sarong is proof positive that the tabloid public’s fixation with Posh and Becks is evident from very early on in the show. Parts 1 and 2 will touch on Beckham’s red card during the England vs. Argentina World Cup match and its aftermath because of the severe criticism he received and the despair it caused.

However, it appears that those experiences will only serve as quick diversion from an otherwise rather fortunate life. Is there enough intrigue there to warrant a four and a half-hour docuseries? It is doubtful.

How do you feel?Make the initial comment.

Ending Shot: Following the catastrophic 1998 World Cup, we witness an unhappy Beckham strolling through an airport.

Sleeper Star: Beckham’s close buddy Gary Neville from Man United is interviewed in-depth in the first episode and provides a wealth of insightful information on Beckham’s brief romance with Victoria Adams.

Most Pilot-y Line: The voices of most directors are muffled when we see them on camera since they are typically not miked up. However, Stevens made the decision to wear a microphone—or even dub his voice in later—so that we can easily recognize his unique voice when he asks questions. That gets old very quickly, let’s just say.

We urge you to STREAM IT, but only if you have an intense passion for Beckham or soccer in general. In addition to excellent film from Beckham’s three decades on and off the field, there’s just enough personal content to keep viewers interested. However, don’t anticipate a lot of controversy or revelations.