A rush of blood to the head which blows it right off, fantastic film

Rating: 8/10 (12 February 2004)

A rush of blood to the head? Coldplay didn¹t know what they were singing about, Chris Martin should watch The Football Factory for the ultimate in head blowing, jaw clenching, white knuckle ride of a film. This film has all the elements to make up a night of riveting viewing, from though provoking characters, witty dialogue to energized music to watch boys batter each other.
To begin there¹s Tommy, fast approaching 30 and not a clue what to do with his sad little life, only thing he¹s clinging onto is the next big meet and Billy Bright the foul mouthed, bad tempered geezer who lost the ability to engage his brain a long time ago, he¹s only comfortable using his fists. Rod who does a stellar performance in a restaurant, acts as a perfect side kick to Tommy, Bill Farrell the perfect gentleman from a bygone era and Harris the mean-faced leader who could have Vinnie Jones for breakfast, plays the distant yet commanding leader.
But I like the young kid who plays Zebberdee, a scaly living like vermin in the depths of South London, this is all credit to the acting as it must be difficult to play someone who is so detrimental to society and has very little redeeming features. Credit must be given to all the actors as they all deliver stellar performances in what must be the most unglamorous locations. There isn¹t one performance I would say was weak as they all hold the audiences attention and gage us into what they are doing and saying. the violence and fashion is very realistic.

To sum up, the hooligans are like scabs of society, a group of people we all want to forget about when we¹re tucked into our little Semis but know they exist living uncomfortably alongside us. the film was more than just football, its about loyalty, a sense of belonging a family in this dysfunctional place we live in. this film speaks to all of us dissatisfied youths living in la la land fast approaching 30 or even 40, looking for a parallel life where we are richer, better looking and have the intellect of Hawkins. Football Factory deserves to be a massive hit, not just for the excellent acting, or the brilliant dialogue or the thumping soundtrack but because the film is of our time revealing the layers, which make up Blair¹s Britain where friendships are everything.