a profound insight into the hobby of sport-obsessed England

Rating: 8/10 (12 August 2006)

"Green Street Hooligans" fortunately isn't a worse version of "Football Factory". Even though the subject of films is the same (football hooliganism), both movies visibly differ. In contrast to "Football Factory", "Hooligans" doesn't have a humorous bent and has a clear-cut message. Namely, the violence addiction is destructive and does not leave anybody unharmed. The film says that violence is indispensable part of every man's life and every man is, like the main character played by Elijah Wood, susceptible to it if only he has an opportunity. Matts falls deeper and deeper into the firm under Pete's influence. On the other side, the movie has a good pacing and fight scenes shot with a feeling. The acting is exceptionally good. In particular, Charlie Hunnam as an ambiguous Pete Dunham did a good job. His balance acting oscillates between practically two different characters (brutal vs caring). Major vices of this film are its predictability and that some threads are far-fetched, but still it remains a profound insight into the hobby of sport-obsessed England.