Green Street Hooligans

Rating: 7 of 10
Genre: Drama / Action

This movie was about reputation; reputation in your place of work, your place of education, on the streets, amongst friends, and the reputation you have within your family.

The plot revolves around Matt Buckner (played by Elijah Wood AKA Frodo Baggins), a journalism student who is thwarted from continuing his esteemed college education and thrown into the rough and tumble lifestyle of English firms. In this case, firms are basically soccer gangs. Each soccer club has a group of ruffians who fist-fight rival firms after the match. The familial bond they share is earned with knuckles and blood.

The rep they build is, to them, their reason for living, and their day-to-day jobs are just a way to get them through until the next match. Matt quickly grows a name for himself and becomes engrained in this dangerous lifestyle to the point where he is forced to face and overcome his past.

The underlying message of the movie is that family is more important than reputation, even the reputation within family. Pride, not others, is always our greatest enemy.

Note: This movie, in line with the setting, is very violent and chock full o’ cursing – beware! Also, it helps to watch it with the sub-titles on because the English cockney is so thick.