One of the best story lines in film

Rating: 10/10 (29 September 2006)

Elijah Wood pulls this movie off, but the characters around him fill in holes and also make this movie compelling. Gritty, hardcore, and somewhat poetic storytelling made me think that Shakespeare would have written this if he were living in today's world.
Wood leaves America and his college troubles behind and travels to England where he transforms into a "hooligan" soccer fan who enjoys a pint of beer a the local pub with his new mates.
The fights are awesome, but nothing so extreme that it might cause you to get sick. In fact, the hooligans seem to have a code of conduct where they use only hand-to-hand combat and a few foreign objects (beer bottles, bricks, and the occasional scrap of lumber or a rock)--Essentially, the soccer fans fight against each others for team pride. It's the idea of neighborhood pride, not just cheering for the local team you live near and root for: But rather, actively seeking out the hooligan fans of other teams and engaging in street fights with them.
Reading the comments by British persons whom have viewed this film, you get the sense that they are not at all impressed by the plot, the actors and their accents, and the entire film itself. Their comments are mostly very negative about this film, which puts a damper on my personal viewing experience because I believed whole-heartedly in the film. So, to the UK fans I say this: It makes up for the hack jobs us Texans have to endure when we see a bad impersonation of our Texas accent and our ways of life. That stuff just happens when your national/regional identity is more unique or outlandish than those around you. Take it as a compliment. I am sure the Australian audience also gets its fill of bad Aussie characterized films, too.
Back to the fil itself: I suggest putting on the subtitles so you can read what is being said: You can read the lines and get a better grasp of what is being said and communicated in each scene. Otherwise, you might get lost in the amazingly fast tempo that the English actors incorporate into their speaking styles.
The storyline is about boyhood friendship, defending each other in the face of others who seek to shame you, and the concept that we all need someone to "catch our backs" if we're up against the wall in life. In contrast, it's also a tale of what happens when we choose to associate ourselves with those who engage in activities that risk your own life, and the lives around you.
Language is rough, so don't watch this with someone that might get offended by the f-bomb and other vulgarities. It's vintage "English" hooligan dialect and terminology in the film, so be aware that they talk pretty rough throughout the film.
If you enjoyed "Layer Cake," then you will also like this film.