A Movie of Two Halves...

Rating: 6/10 (4 April 2006)

I had heard much about this movie and was very much looking forward to seeing it. The most apt a description I can give is that this is a movie of two halves. The first half starts well, we get into the action pretty quick and there's a lot of exciting stuff. The second half descends into melodrama and stumbles along to a predictable conclusion.
I can forgive the speed at which fresh faced Elijah is accepted into the firm as this allows us to get straight into the story. Lexi Alexander does a good job getting across the atmosphere and passion of the game and how this spills over into the fighting. The fight scenes themselves are well produced and the reality of finding the other firm whilst avoiding the police is pitched just right. I also liked how we are shown that these 'thugs' are ordinary people during the week doing ordinary jobs.
The one thing that grated me was Charlie Hannams laughable Dick Van Dyke cock-er-ney accent. We are told what being a member of a firm is all about... front, respect and belonging. Part of this is the clothes and the language. "Shat yor maff, you wan-car..." says our Charlie... the rest of the cast who I would hazard a guess grew up in London have it spot on, poor Charlie... it's a good try, but as Don Cheadle found out in Oceans 11, if you get it just slightly wrong you sound like a right muppet...
Then we get to the second half. It turns out Charlies brother is the legendary "Major" with a reputation second to none. When being fronted up by his old foe though he simply wilts. Tommy Hatcher is a has been who has to be about 20 years older than the Major, but still manages to bottle him because he was responsible for the ruck that killed his son. And so begins the melodramatic finish.
It's a pity because it all started so well and the premise of a 'yank' being involved is great. I've read the other reviews here and have noticed that most of those that have given the movie a good rating are from the US. Unsurprisingly those giving it lower ratings are from the UK (except one guy from Reading, but then in Reading they wouldn't know good football if it punched them in the face, and they think a good scrap is a conker fight...!). And that says it all really, here we have a clash of cultures. Are we watching a 'film' about the culture of the football firms... or are we watching a 'movie' about a tragic morality tale...
I've given it a 6/10 because it is well made, and I am sure those unfamiliar with the football scene will enjoy it as it gives an insight into a unique culture. I applaud Lexi Alexander for having the balls (as it were) to make an interesting and likable movie... film... movie... well you know what I mean...