Unconvincing portrayal

Rating: 2/10 (15 May 2000)

Unconvincing portrayal of a struggling family whose two boys are racist skinheads. One of the sons, after a stint in jail, has a change of heart and decides to save his little brother from the mindless hatred that nearly ruined his life.
This film tries so hard to be a gritty, dark, morality tale of modern western life that it ends up parodying itself unintentionally. I'm afraid a few angst ridden actors smoking and shouting out a lot of swear words does not a great movie make.
The movie also has two of the stupidest moments on film. Why the brothers, one of whom has just escaped death at the hands of his former gang, decide to sit and have a nice chat about life rather than run to the nearest phonebox and warn mom and sis (who are sitting passively at home like women do) is unrealistic. Perhaps it didn't cross the boys minds. Dumber still is why any self-respecting, skinhead gang did NOT immediately go to the boy's home and kill and destroy is beyond comprehension. But perhaps it didn't cross their collective minds.
The second stupidest moment on film ever is this film's ending.
Do yourself a favour and see "Romper Stomper" if you want a truer reflection of the evils of skinhead violence.