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Directed by: Nick Love Starring: Danny Dyer, Frank Harper, Neil Maskell, Roland Manookian 'The Football Factory' chronicles the life of Tommy Johnson, avid Chelsea fan and member of The Firm, a gang of men who "live for the weekend, watered down lager, heavily cut drugs and occasionally kicking gently caress out of someone," along with his friends and fellow football hooligans. The film opens with Tommy bloody on the ground, taking kicks to the head from a gang of Millwall fans, before going back to the very beginning of the story. The shuddering camera, the cinematography and the idea of this opening seem far too similar to Fight Club's opening for my tastes, and one of Football Factory's most nagging problems is that it lifts ideas from many other popular male films. Human Traffic, Goodfellas and American History X are similarly irked in other scenes, and whilst the comparions aren't so similar that you feel you're being ripped off, it does hinder the film in terms of originality. However, despite the film's problems it remains very engaging, partly in thanks to the great soundtrack, partly to the moody cinematography, partly to the sometimes spot-on script, but additionally due to the captivating performances from Danny Dyer and Frank Harper. Its short length (93 minutes) and intense pace make it a very watchable film, and the film's positive aspects are sure to outweigh its negative in the eyes of its target audience -- young, male, English football fans -- and secure it cult status. For others, though, your enjoyment may rest on how well you know modern day British society, or if you like seeing football hooligans get into large, violent fights. RATING: 3.5 PROS: Gritty cinematography, great characterisation, occasionally sparkling dialogue CONS: Unoriginal style, limited appeal, occasionally cringeworthy dialogue ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385705/
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Oct 13, 2004 01:01
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| # ? Apr 23, 2024 22:38 |
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