It’s coming home
Next up on the review chopping block is The Football Factory. This is a look at a gang of football hooligans, ostensibly Chelsea supporters. If you have an interest in this kind of soccer/gangs/violence thing, you've probably already seen both The Firm and ID. This offers more of the same, although on a bigger budget.
The film: Danny Dyer plays a young man, just about to turn 30, who's clearly having something of a crisis regarding the way his life is going. This is hardly surprising. His Saturdays consist of meeting up with about 30 fellow Chelsea fans and fighting with the rival "firm" of whichever team they're playing that week. Inevitably people get bottled, bashed with bricks, pummelled, and all sorts. Lots of faces end up looking a bit like minced beef. Fun for some, I suppose. And he wonders why he doesn't have a girlfriend...
The review: Even though this weekend pursuit is not my cup of tea, I find the subject quite fascinating, if a little terrifying. Good, strong performances all round, and I was proper chuffed to see veteran '60s Brit actor Dudley Sutton in a good supporting role as the kid's granddad, about to emigrate to Australia. There's an all-pervading sense of foreboding for the whole of the movie's running time. As an aside, this film has probably taken the crown for "Most Uses of the Word 'Cunt' in a Movie" from Trainspotting. I laughed often, grimaced several times, and thanked my lucky stars that I've never cared that much for footie.
The points: Entertaining little piece, this. I'll give it 64 out of 100.
The film: Danny Dyer plays a young man, just about to turn 30, who's clearly having something of a crisis regarding the way his life is going. This is hardly surprising. His Saturdays consist of meeting up with about 30 fellow Chelsea fans and fighting with the rival "firm" of whichever team they're playing that week. Inevitably people get bottled, bashed with bricks, pummelled, and all sorts. Lots of faces end up looking a bit like minced beef. Fun for some, I suppose. And he wonders why he doesn't have a girlfriend...
The review: Even though this weekend pursuit is not my cup of tea, I find the subject quite fascinating, if a little terrifying. Good, strong performances all round, and I was proper chuffed to see veteran '60s Brit actor Dudley Sutton in a good supporting role as the kid's granddad, about to emigrate to Australia. There's an all-pervading sense of foreboding for the whole of the movie's running time. As an aside, this film has probably taken the crown for "Most Uses of the Word 'Cunt' in a Movie" from Trainspotting. I laughed often, grimaced several times, and thanked my lucky stars that I've never cared that much for footie.
The points: Entertaining little piece, this. I'll give it 64 out of 100.
permalink posted by * (asterisk) at 2:36 PM
12 Comments:
I enjoyed the book but couldn't quite be arsed to see the film. you'll be fascinated to hear. hehe.
Well, I love football movies...so I wonder if I would enjoy this? Now, football is a different animal over here...I'm thinking things like Friday Night Lights, Brians Song, Best of Times, Everybody's All American, The Replacements(and this week Invincible with Mark Walberg)
there is an element of crime and dare devil in football here...but not the same. I would be very curious to see the corelations...
Still, you rate this in the 60's I am looking forward to hearing of a movie in the 90's...keep on looking!
love the film. finally pointing out that it tends to be the "middle class/affluent" members of society that take part in this "sport" (we will ignore the firm). but must take you to task. i DO care that much about football. as do a lot of people i know. what people need to understand is the people that get involved in this kind of thing, do tend to love a team to the edge of obsession, but thats as far as it goes. football has very little to do with hooliganism. it is a means to an end. thats all. they are not fighting to protect the honour of their club, but for the adrenalin rush. it just happens that an opposing team gives them somone to batter/be battered by!
that said, got to admit that this subject fascinates me too. i cannot understand the mindset of wanting to go out in your best clothes and get a beating, but the organisation, and the fact that, like in the film, blokes that can be mates all week, will gladly stand toe to toe at the weekend and kick the living crap out of each other, really drags me in every time.
another good review!
Reminded me of my youth - except I was a watcher from a safe distance
saw some tatsy scraps around barnsley town centre and the bus station, but the strangest thing is that i feel a hell of a lot safer living 500 yards away from oakwell, than i ever did travelling there.
Spangly: When I first saw this comment in my emails, I thought it was referring to my Bollywood movie in the next post! Now I understand better... Not sure I'll read the book. I think it's one of those one-or-the-other stories, really.
Candy: Be warned - there's no football in this movie. These people don't watch hte matches, it seems... See this list for some in the 90s, but they're few and far between, girl!
Cappy: You're right. I neglected to mention that football is purely a conduit for the aggression of these people. It is fascinating, though. I've known guys into it, but it's not for me. I'm a lover, not a fighter, y'know.
4D: Best way, I think.
As ever, loved the book, thought the film was merely ok.
In my teens and 20's, I would never have taken part in anything like that, but now, I can easily see the attraction.
I thought the book was pretty good when it came out, very zeitgeisty (is that a word?). Headhunters, the follow-up was better. They both read like the Richard Allen 'Skinhead' books made modern.
The film was disappointing really. But recently I got to see The Business, which I actually thought was pretty good from the same team. Dyer's clothes were hilarious. I may have been seduced by the 80s soundtrack however...
(incidentally * (asterisk), I sold comics for a good many years too - small world!)
Sir Stewart: Ah... I'm sure that's supposed to be the other way around, the bit about growing INTO fighting!
Shep: Welcome. I'll allow Zeitgeisty! I may take a peek at The Business, on your recommendation. With an 80s soundtrack, how bad can it be?! Funny that you sold comics, too; I thought your profile pic looked quite superheroey (is that a word?).
*: shep is bang on about the richard allen "skinhead" series of books, and the business. the clothes! reminded me of going to france with the school mid eighties and all the "casuals" spending £10 for a pair of terry towelling socks! all because of a little crocodile!
Ah, I remember the casuals and their love of that croc! Funny the things you forget. My missus like the colours of some of the Lacoste jumpers, but have you seen the fucking price of 'em? Ridiculous!
yeah but thats the rub. the socks literally looked like a pair you could buy off barnsley market, 5 pairs for a quid, with a shitty little croc stitched on!
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