Glitz 'n' glamour doesn't work in a 'down n dirty' lifestyle

Rating: 5/10 (3 October 2007)

Lexi Alexander fails to create a good, strong, realistic film about the lifestyles of football hooligans in London's East Side. In America it might have worked well, but I doubt many British viewers, especially ones who have a half-decent knowledge of football hooliganism, would be impressed.
The main problem with this film is the fighting. Yes, sometimes it does look good, and can be brutal. But it's way too glitzy, too choreographed. You don't get a real sense of ferocity, or adrenaline, when watching this. Anyone who's seen a firm fight will know that these guys don't hit each other with clean, crisp punches, it's actually really scrappy. Also, I feel the ending of the big finale looked a bit stupid; not only did the members of GSE and Bushwhackers stop, but they even crowded round in a circle and bow their heads (Bit like the end of West Side Story. really).
I felt sorry for the two main actors. Elijah Wood was an... interesting decision, and he did try his best with what he was given. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, he always looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights. Charlie Hunnam's entire performance (which is actually quite good) of the GSE's new head boy Pete is overshadowed by his dodgy, all-over- the-place accent. If the stories are true though, Alexander is to blame for that as she fired his dialect coach early into filming. On the upside on the acting front, Leo Gregory gives a great performance as the cynical, loose canon member of the GSE, Bovver. He definitely looks the part, and gives the character a real gritty depth.
Unlike many football hooligan films, this one attempts to inject a plot and some morality into it. Which is fine, but just doesn't work with this.
It's not a bad, BAD film, but it's nowhere near perfect, and the fact it fails to be realistic to the culture sadly makes it worse. If you want a more accurate, grittier, down-to-earth and realistic film, watch "The Football Factory".