|
Product Description: A wrongfully expelled Harvard undergrad moves to London where he is introduced to the violent underworld of soccer hooliganism.Running Time: 108 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE UPC: 012569760295 Manufacturer No: 76029Amazon.com: After the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Elijah Wood could've opted for further big budget epics, but took a sharp left turn with this better-than-average B-movie. Released just after Everything is Illuminated, another offbeat entry, Wood plays journalism student Matt Buckner. In the prologue, he's expelled from Harvard when his over-privileged roommate sets him up to take the fall for his own misdeeds. With nowhere to go, Matt decides to visit his sister, Shannon (Claire Forlani), in London. He's already got a chip on his shoulder when he falls under the sway of Shannon's brother-in-law, Pete (Charlie Hunnam), head of West Ham's football "firm," the Green Street Elite. Matt soon gets caught up in their thuggish antics—to tragic effect. In her feature debut, German-born Lexi Alexander makes a mostly convincing case for the attractions of violence to the emotionally vulnerable, as opposed to the emotionally numb pugilists of the more satirical Fight Club. Unlike David Fincher (by way of Chuck Palahniuk), she plays it straight, except for the stylized fight sequences. Consequently, humor is in short supply, but the young Brit cast, especially Leo Gregory as the surly Bovver, is charismatic and Wood makes his character as believable as possible, i.e. he may seem miscast, but that's the point. Although there's no (direct) correlation between the two, Green Street makes a fine taster for Bill Buford's Among the Thugs, the ultimate dissection of the hooligan mentality. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Customer Reviews:
- I just love it.: I wish I could describe things the way many reviewers do, but in all honesty there is one main connection for my recommending this movie. If you love Boondock Saints, you'll love this movie just as much. You don't need to love soccer, or any of the actors listed - it's just a good flick with believable fight scenes and a great story on trying your feet on new soil.
- Footie Fans Unite: If you follow football, then this movie is most assuredly the movie for you. Although, the main topic of the movie isn't football, it's the football fans. You know the ones I'm talking about, the crazy fans that get in your face, or most likely get arrested at the matches. This movie shows the side of them that you don't really see. It shows the organization behind the craziness. You've heard of Hooliganism, this movie shows it at it's core. (with substitutions for all around general violence) But you do get somewhat of an insight into the life of a hooligan. This movie has indubitably been bumped up to one of my all time favourites.
- Surprising how caught up you get in something like this.: Which, I think, is the point of the film itself. I usually avoid violent movies, if I know ahead of time they will be violent. I wanted very much to see Charlie Hunnam in this though, so I rented it. I had to laugh when I found myself hoping someone would kill off one particular little traitor in the film. I just completely got swept up in it. I so wish I'd known about this one when it was in the theatres as I'm sure I would have seen it there more than once.
Pete (Charlie Hunnam) charms his way into your heart within his first two minutes of screen time. Matt (Elijah Wood) and almost all the rest are surprisingly easy to relate to and like. You're rooting for GSE and totally invested in what's going on almost before you know it.
I did not see the Lord of the Rings movies, so I didn't have to overcome any preconceived notions to enjoy Elijah Woods' performance. He's unassuming and completely believable as Matt. Charlie Hunnam, however, does a phenomenal job and really makes the movie. His stance, walk, look, accent, everything is different in this film and it works really well. I cannot wait to see him as the lead in something else.
Until then, I'll happily keep watching this one. I've already ordered my own copy to keep.
Great movie all around - fun, exciting, touching, and makes you think and feel long after it's over. Excellent performances. It's just very, very well done.
As for the violence, I only had to turn away briefly during the final fight scene. I'm a softie anyway and it got to me, but that's possibly due more to emotional attachment to the characters than to the violence itself. So, if you're hesitating for that reason, don't worry. You definitely want to see this. - Excellent movie: Hi..
I was not expecting much from this movie, i was thinking how could a movie about Holligans be any good, especially that i have already watched The Football Factory a few days back, and did not enjoy it much, but this movie was just excellent.
Many comparisons were made between this and the Football factory, but unlike the football factory, GSH was amazing, this one at least has an intriguing plot and intersting characters..
The plot is fast paced, and never dragging, about the american college student who travels to the UK to meet his sister who has moved there, and finds himself dragged into the world of Hooligans..
Acting by Elijah was very good, also the british actors were good here, and Claire forlani added alot to the movies reciepe..
This is one tough movie, it has fist fights and alot of emotional scenes, i really enjoyed this one and can only recommend others to see it, very well done movie..
Even my wife who is not into football, and not into fight/gangs movies and who is more into Comedy and chick flicks enjoyed this one..so do not miss it..it is excellent - Fantastic: Loved this movie from the first time i saw it; yes it's violent and wordy, but the story is fantastic. Not to mention Charlie hunnum does the acting of his life.
|
