English FIGHT CLUB

Rating: 6/10 (15 June 2006)

In HOOLIGANS, Frodo gets kicked out of Harvard and goes to stay with his expat sister (the delectable C. Forlani) in England. He immediately runs across a soccer hooligan gang, and the gloves are off for the remainder of this gritty flick that at times looks like a sequel to FIGHT CLUB and at other times like a sequel to A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. Apparently, there are roving gangs of soccer hooligans throughout England, if this movie is to be believed. Scary thought. Unfortunately, Frodo is not terribly believable as a college boy turned vicious street fighter, and the gang resembles nothing so much as a road show company of "West Side Story." But there is a message here about loyalty and standing up for yourself and your mates that keeps the movie from simply being a series of skirmishes and beer drinking. The movie also contains two decent plot revelations, both having to do with gang leaders. Charlie Hunnan as a head hooligan is impressive in a Paul Bettany kind of way, and his role reminded me of Heath Ledger during his A KNIGHT'S TALE period. Recommended for fans of fighting, although the violence isn't quite as realistic or gory as I would have liked. There is no ear biting or eye gouging or tongue removing, which is what guys usually do when they get together for a bit of a throwdown. You want some more realistic and satisfying violence, rent A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE or RUNNING SCARED.