Green Street Hooligans (2006)

After taking the fall for his wealthy roommate, wrongfully expelled Harvard journalism student, Matt Buckner (Elijah Wood) flees to England to stay with his sister, Shannon (Claire Forlani). Once there, Matt is reluctantly befriended by his brother in law's brother Pete Dunham (Charlie Hunnam). Thanks to the charismatic Pete, Matt is introduced to football (soccer) and the 'firms' who are known for their violence against rival teams' fans. Matt soon discovers hooliganism. He has been taken into the Green Street Elite. The 'firm' of West Hampton United Football Club. In GSE, Matt experiences a brotherhood, a connection he obviously had been craving. As the plot unfolds (sorry, I'm giving nothing away) Matt learns a lot that summer about friendship, loyalty, life and death.

Green Street Hooligans is the directorial debut of Lexi Alexander. What a debut it is! With a superb cast lead by Wood and Hunnam, Alexander brings to life the insanity known as football from across the pond. Wood is surprisingly strong and convincing as the passive Matt who, under Pete's tutelage grows not only in fierceness, but confidence. Hunnam is amazing as the cocky, confident Pete who struggles with the leadership expectations from his mates.

The exterior of the film portrays the raw, gritty and bloody violent world of hooligans who support their club with their minds, passion, fists and hearts. Thanks to brilliant character development the viewer is convinced that that West Hampton football is all that's worth living and dying for. As the film advances, the viewer discovers the interior goes much deeper than this. People can learn to grow with each other and give their lives for something that would seem ridiculous yet means everything to them. In this seemingly secret world of extreme violence and mob mentality it's captivating to see the bonds of friendship develop while the moral becomes clear: always stand your ground and fight for what your heart truly believes in. Ironically, a gang of football hooligans seems the the best way to portray this.

The amazing soundtrack elevates Green Street Hooligans to yet another level of intensity. The cinematography is mesmerizing with shots so tight during fight scenes, you'll find yourself ducking. While, I had a bit of trouble with the heavy cockney accents, it's nothing that turning on the subtitles didn't fix. Another word of warning, language is explicit.

This is another great film that would have easily ended in my top ten of 2005. Green Street Hooligans elevates itself from the typical 'fight' movie to an intense, passionate drama of loyalty, trust and the sometimes brutal consequences of living close to the edge.