Hooligans - the movie to see!

Rating: 9/10 (16 June 2005)

I was privileged to see this film at the Tribeca Film Festival and I was blown away! It was what I expectedand more. It had plenty of funny moments, particularly the differences between Yanks and Brits, but this film was pure drama.
Now I have to warn those who haven't seen it -- yet (yes, I am hopeful it will get a distributor), it is quite violent (lots of head bashing, etc.). But I have to reiterate what Lexi said before the movie was played, that the message she was trying to convey in the film was one of anti-violence. And she did it in spades! There was no stylized violence herepure brutal fist-a-cuffs. I have to admit it was a little hard to watch at times (especially Elijah Wood getting bruised up quite a few times), but overall it wasn't gratuitous.
Elijah Wood was brilliant in this movie. He just put in another great believable performance. You can see how he gets involved with these guys (or my word for that day  intoxicated) by the Firm. The other gem here was Charlie Hunnam. He was phenomenal. His character was a punk, yes, but he also had a redeeming quality about him that I won't get into here.
This film just has to get a US distribution deal! It would be a shame if it didn't. I believe US audiences deserve to see it for themselves.