Boring, pointless, violent, pathetic

Rating: 2/10 (25 June 2006)

For someone who enjoys football, this film was a supreme letdown. I knew what the content would involve when I sat down to watch it, but I also suspected to see some footage of FOOTBALL...otherwise known as the beautiful game, so naturally photogenic that I distrust any director that gives up such an indulgent opportunity to commit it to celluloid. If the director had presented a football match in the same stylish, celebrated way that he revelled in the violence, then there may have been just a ray of hope for this film. But what I was offered, I'm afraid, was 30 seconds of a juniors match somewhere in the background of a punch up. That is not enough.
This film is one made for total wannabes; those not brave or ruthless enough to involve themselves in such a vile culture, but those that think that to do so is big and clever and that their allegiance to such a film will gain them acceptance in similar social circles, when really they would be torn apart. As far as the film goes, to see grown men acting with such spiteful petulance is sad, and for those who have never thrown a punch in their lives to spout recommendations for such films on the basis of some misconceived style is equally as childlike and desperately pathetic. Furthermore, for those who immerse themselves in violence on a regular basis...well, this is just a film that creates a shallow, diluted justification that their lifestyle is one to be respected.
The plot is ultimately empty; a few spiteful, transparently obvious and tired practical jokes juxtaposed with strong violence and excessive swearing...it seems that he who swears the most deserves respect the most. A lot of talking is involved, but its relevance and ultimately any type of resolution is nonexistent. Instead of the tired-Trainspotting narrative of social rebirth, this is just the tiring narrative of directionless vacancy.
The film has certain realistic points that I feel need to be pointed out. For one, a full scale riot can be broken up by half a dozen policemen with truncheons. Those hard-by-numbers pack of mongrel dogs, upon the arrival of a few newspaper-wielding coppers, will suddenly turn tail and run behind the sofa; I witnessed this myself when, unlike most who will probably sing this film's praises, I was actually caught up in a full scale football riot.
This is not football, this is the social compunction to crave acceptance; it's not about who you are, it's about who you know, or who you think you know, that here dictates your importance within society. This is becoming all too common these days, where prison time and links to organised criminals are badges to be worn with pride, not subjects of shame. The vital point that is completely missed is that those you think are important and crave to be are nothing without their group of lesser followers, that outside your band of self-congratulatory dependants you are all nothing...no one cares about you or your cause.
A wasted opportunity for a serious social comment; this is for kids.