Former England and Liverpool striker Michael Owen has revealed that even his children perceive him as "dead boring," a sentiment explored in the new Prime Video documentary "Meet The Owens." The fly-on-the-wall show examines the life of the football star and his family.
Owen, who previously described himself as "exceptionally talented at football" and a record-breaker, confronts his perceived lack of charisma in the series. "Even my kids say everyone sees me as dead boring," he is heard saying, before a scene where he meticulously chooses one triangle of Dairylea on toast.
In contrast to high-profile documentaries about families like the Beckhams or Rooneys, "Meet The Owens" presents Owen, his wife Louise – his childhood sweetheart – and their four children. The eldest daughter, Gemma, is a "Love Island" alumnus with a significant social media following. The family resides in an Elizabethan manor house in Cheshire and are heavily involved in horse racing, with Owen now owning and running a racing stable.
Gemma's recent acquisition of a Shetland pony named Bert, who she rescued, leads to a moment where Owen, feigning concern about the costs, jokingly calls Bert his "favourite horse," clarifying his comment as sarcasm.
Owen's interviews for the documentary are conducted in a wood-panelled room, a setting described as reminiscent of a Guy Ritchie character, though less stylized. He confides in the series, stating, "I'm either really happy or just happy," and reflects on his post-football career. He found a new purpose in horses after his playing days ended. A stint as a football pundit proved challenging due to his "monotonous" speaking tone, which he felt prevented him from conveying excitement he didn't genuinely feel. "If West Ham scored against Burnley, with all due respect, I just couldn't care," he explained.
The documentary follows the Owens at races, hosting parties, and attending auctions, portraying them as a close-knit family. Louise describes Gemma as her "best friend." Gemma also features prominently, presenting the Horse Of The Year Show for Channel 4, where she receives encouragement from a woman named Fiona.
Beyond his family and horses, Owen reveals a fascination with orca documentaries, calling himself an "orca pervert." He also admits to struggling with everyday tasks like tearing greaseproof paper, though he eventually figures it out.
Despite the "boring" label, Owen asserts his current life brings him joy. "I wake every morning and bounce out of bed," he says. The show also captures lighter moments, such as a dog named Kaiser snatching his chips, which Owen finds amusing. His wife recalls him reading the Racing Post while she was in labor, to which he quipped, "I offered you a read of it!" In one scene, he declares both a regular box of ice cream and a different one "world-class."
The documentary concludes by hinting at a potential future celebrity travelogue. The review suggests that "Meet The Owens" offers a glimpse into a genuinely delightful and loving family, despite the lingering question of whether Owen can shake his reputation for being unexciting.