Alright ride...just leave realism at the door

Rating: 6/10 (30 June 2007)

Reading through the comments, I'm noticing afew things worth mentioning. The majority of people slating this film are British and have a knowledge of football hooliganism, whilst the majority of those praising the film are American or European..therefor wouldn't't be expected to see the holes in the film the way someone from London may do.
Heres the story in a nutshell: Promising journalism student Matt Buckner (Elijah Wood)is expelled from Harvard for possession of drugs, only he wasn't to blame, the drugs were hid in his locker by his roommate, who is a member of high society, therefor lets Matt take the fall instead of shaming his family. He travels to London, UK, to stay with his somewhat estranged sister Shannon Dunham(Claire Forlani) and his baby nephew Ben. However, Shannon is married to Steve Dunham (Marc Warren), who happens to be the older brother of Pete (Charlie Hunham), the fearless leader of the well renowned GSE, or Green Street Elite. Matt is quickly taken under Pete's wing and given and inside look as to how football firm's operate. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worst when Matt's journalism past is outed, and he is mistaken for an undercover "journo"-the worst enemy in this film. This sets a spiral of events in motion that threaten to ruin everything.
Now for the lack of realism in this film that has so many people shaking their head.
The Green Street "Elite" seems to comprise of about 7 young lads in their 20's, none of whom come across as anything more than your average guy, in fact, there is doubt as to where they got their reputation from. Three of them hardly ever speak and add little to the story line, whilst one of them seems to just jump around swearing and cursing. Hardly an "elite" if you ask me.
As for the leader Pete, he is almost too overblown to be true, he is more like a Tyler Durden creation, just without the intellect or purpose. He is a stereotype of how the British "lad" is viewed by some people. He swaggers around using Cockney rhyming slang, in a confused accent that ranges from Australian, to posh, to somethings else then back again. Many people have mentioned Dick Van Dyke in Marry Poppins...good association!! He plays the role TOO tough, and says his often corny lines with such an effort that its sometimes unintentionally hilarious. He thinks by clenching his teeth, swearing like a toilet and swinging his arms about he can give off an alpha male image that is supposed to draw people in.
It does however draw little Matt Buckner in, as he holds Pete and the GSE with very high regards, following them round wherever they go. It is unrealistic how quickly he is taken in as "one of the gang" and how easy he finds his transition from student geek to lager drinking, foul mouthed brawler. Also unconvincing, as no matter what front he puts on..he is still childlike, and those big blue eyes are about as threatening as a lonely puppy.
Then for the actual fight scenes....well choreographed but VERY off target in terms of how these fight actually go down. 6 lads cannot walk into a tunnel and take on a crowd of brick/bottle throwing thugs only to escape with afew bloody noses. Elijah Wood would not be capable of dealing out that much damage in his first ever fight. Rugby tackling guys twice his size? knocking out thugs with one punch? please..this isn't The Matrix is it!
I wouldn't say this film glamorises football related violence, but it does make it out to be something more than it is. It injects it with a code of honour that shouldn't be there, giving an impression that its justified for the GSE to beat the crap out of rival firm members as it boosts their reputation. If it glamorised it completely, it wouldn't'd deal with the subject of families, and the negative effect this kind of life can have on them.
If your after a realistic insight into football hooliganism, walk right past this, as this is just make believe. If your after an overblown, pumped up, for the moment movie then you may have found something worth watching. The film is more a look at what happens when an impressionable young lad tastes a life he never had, and wants to bite off more, only to find the bite isn't so sweet the deeper you go.
A sensitive subject given a little too much Hollywood treatment if you ask me. Football Factory isn't as enjoyable, but a lot more can be said for the authenticity of it.