Picturenose

London brawling

Welcome to Tommy Johnson. His is a world of dead-end jobs, no prospects and an uncertain future. His story is set out pretty well in his opening voiceover: “There’s nothing different about me. I’m just another bored male, approaching 30, in a dead-end job, who lives for the weekend. Casual sex, watered-down lager, heavily cut drugs. And occasionally kicking fuck out of someone.”

Our hero – for that is what he is, like it or not – comes alive at the weekend and gets rid of his frustration and aggression by joining up with his mates for some well-organised and brutal violence. The backdrop is the City of London, his team: Chelsea.

The story is often told in the first person, which gives it a more intimate and complicit feel. This is no morality play, though. If you are searching for the answer as to why gangs of males – many of whom are in their thirties and forties – would orchestrate, look forward to and even enjoy what sickens most of us, you won’t be getting it from this film. You might ask yourself the same question Tommy’s grandfather (Dudley Sutton) asks him: “Is it worth it?” Tommy’s grandfather is a pivotal character, although he may not seem like it. The story of him moving to Australia with his old pal from the war is not only funny and touching in itself, but serves to counterpoint Tommy’s story. You couldn’t imagine two people more different in beliefs and values but who still have an obvious affection for each other.

Some fine acting by Danny Dyer as Tommy Johnson, along with a well-chosen (if little-known) supporting cast lend real atmosphere to the piece. The story not only tells of the violence, and the violent society that breeds it, but also of the in-gang rivalries and the constant struggle to be top dog. The weekends of thrills, spills and pills are interspersed with an underlying power struggle – sometimes on an organizational level, sometimes a personal one.

When Tommy gets caught in bed with one of the Millwall gang’s sisters, he escapes a knifing thanks to his mate Rod (Neil Maskell) bludgeoning the man with a cricket bat. This begins a series of events – culminating in the FA Cup draw that matches Chelsea against Millwall – that soon spirals out of control.

Visually, the film is a real mix of styles. Handled incorrectly, this could well have been a disaster. I found it drove the story rather than hindered it, and along with a thoughtfully chosen and an extreme beat-driven soundtrack, the film practically canters along.

If you’re male and anything like me, you may find yourself gunning for the ‘home’ side in the fights. I was actually hoping that they escaped unscathed. To say I enjoyed it would go too far, but there was a definite vicarious pleasure in seeing the ‘good guys’ win.

It may sound a bit gloomy and harsh, but it’s recommended to anyone who doesn’t have a weak stomach or would be offended by some extremely strong language. Fast-paced, lively, funny (really) and unpleasant, there’s something for everyone in here – except perhaps the answer to one question. Why?

91 mins.