Dead Man's Shoes

[Laivasse]

Anyone seen this British film by Shane Meadows?

I had the pleasure of seeing it a few nights ago, and although it didn't blow my mind, I still liked it a lot and it has stuck unshakeably in my head since. It's basically a revenge flick about an ex-army guy who comes back to his hometown in the Midlands to exact revenge on a small time gang who tormented his retarded brother.

The army guy, Richard, played by Paddy Considine (who co-screenwrote this), is just the star of the show. He has this crazy intensity and charisma that reminded me of that Korean guy from Old Boy (another revenge flick) - regardless of what he does, you enjoy watching it and you want to see him kick arse. It's awesome how he PWNZ0Rs the gang so bad, even before he actually does anything to them.

Comes highly recommended :thumbs: It's certainly the best British film I've seen in ages although that unfortunately isn't saying much. Considine is utterly brilliant.

Highlights include any verbal exchange between Richard and the guys in the gang:

Spoiler

The encounter with the first drug dealer in a pub at the beginning:
"Can I help you mate?
"Sorry?"
"What the f*** y'looking at?"
"YOU, you c***!"

Or when the gang leader spots Richard and gets out of his car to talk to and threaten him - but Richard just stands there grinning with his hands behind his back, telling the guy that he's going to 'hit' them all, and pointing to the palm of his hand, saying "It's beyond f***ing words...Yer f***ing there, mate." Gang leader returns to car stunned, knowing that his days are numbered. You will too.

You really have to see Considine's performance to appreciate it.

 

[DeusExMachina]

Sounds interesting. Would I be able to find this in America?

 

[Laivasse]

Possibly. Even though it's not a big profile Hollywood flick, it got a decent release on DVD only recently, and it's been all over the shelves at HMV etc over here in the UK. I dunno if it would be promoted so much in the states, but my guess would be you shouldn't have too much trouble finding it.

 

[MrMan]

Yeah i got this on DVD when it came out, purely based on great reviews it got...i thought it was really good, watched it with a mate who was pretty shook up by it, its a pretty disturbing film psychologically, particularly the bit where he gets those guys really drugged up...if you've seen it you'll know what i mean

 

[Harryz]

I rented this unknown flick, when I came across it in a video store. ****ing brilliant, definently one of the best British movies I've seen in a while. Its really cruel what they did to his brother. I couldn't stop laughing at the hair and elephant scene.

Also, Paddy Considine is awesome.

 

[Glirk Dient]

Sounds a lot like that movie the rock was in. He was ex military and came back to his hometown and there was a gang in control of a nearby casino that was giving him crap and harassing other people so he became deputy of the town and WTFpwned them. I can't remember the movie name or find it on google however. Perhpas someone else knows what movie I am talking about.

 

[DeusExMachina]

Walk the Line. Its a remake too.

 

[Harryz]

Walk the Line. Its a remake too.

Walk the Line is the Johnny Cash movie. Its Walking Tall.

Also, although the movie does sound similar to Walking Tall, its not.

 

[Laivasse]

Yeah, anything with the Rock is pretty Hollywood-ish. Dead Man's Shoes is low budget, from an indie - about as far from that kind of thing as you get. It's not a straightforward revenge flick either, in that the 'bad guys' aren't really dangerous, or even all that evil, really - in fact the film spends more time with them than it does with the avenger, Richard. The narrative also unfolds in a fairly unconventional way, making for some nice food for thought.

I don't know, some people say that they came away really emotionally affected by the film. I can't say it did that for me (nothing much does any more), but at the same time I'm still replaying bits of it in my mind days later, and what I think that is down to is Considine's fantastic acting. Even his simplest lines become instantly quotable ("Dance at my party", the opening quote, etc...). The guy who plays his retarded brother (think his name is something Kebbell) is great too, and it was his debut.

 

[DeusExMachina]

Walk the Line is the Johnny Cash movie. Its Walking Tall.

Also, although the movie does sound similar to Walking Tall, its not.

Aw dammit. Ugh, I'm ashamed of myself.