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Hooliganism has been the scourge of British society for some time: these so-called football supporters consisting of young and middle-aged men make up part of a very violent subculture. This adaptation from John King’s novel, follows a group – or firm – of Chelsea supporters as they go about their usual business of working, drinking and fighting. There is a high degree of realism in the portrayal of hooligan life and attention to the personal world of the people behind it. Although very reminiscent of Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, this movie can certainly hold its own.
We follow Tommy Johnson and his mates who are part of the infamous Chelsea firm and see how they spend their time during and between match days. The motto of Tommy sums it all up: he is a bored male approaching 30 who lives for the weekend, casual sex, watered down lager, heavily cut drugs…. And occasionally kicking the fuck out of someone. I have seen several documentaries on hooliganism and this movie really hits the nail on the head when it comes to realism. Hooligans are often average, working-class men with normal everyday lives and often a family and a regular job. Yet they look to this weekly violence as some sort of escapism from their mundane lives. In that respect, it reminded me a lot of Fight Club, where the organised fighting makes the bored men feel alive and invigorates their tedious daily life. Violence as a form of escapism initially goes back to the Romans and their gladiator spectacles, while hooliganism seems just another modern adaptation.
I liked this movie. I liked the ode it brings to male bonding and male friendship and shows how different it is from female bonding, which is portrayed in countless movies nowadays. It paints of course some nasty, violent sides of it in this particular case, but also the silent and acknowledging part of male friendship, which is much less complex than the female one. This movie has been criticised for supposedly glorifying violence, but that is bullshit. It’s obvious that the hooligans follow a self-destructive path and their weekly brawls eventually seem as dull as their humdrum lives. Also, it is what actually happens around the football pitches and there is nothing wrong with portraying reality. The latter has been reinforced by casting realistic characters and the use of authentic street language (which I always like).
The only real ‘criticism’ you could have, is that it bears strong resemblance to that other (British) ode to nihilism, Trainspotting. The plot is quite similar: there is the main character’s nihilist lifestyle, the voice-over, crazy characters and the harsh, ugly reality; in fact, the heroin has been replaced by hooliganism. Still, that would cut The Football Factory too short. It can – and does – stand on its own. I really liked the natural acting and the mad characters like Billy Bright (played by Frank Harper), the bigot taxi driver and of course Millwall Jack, played by the charismatic Tamer Hassan. This guy made a real impression on me since he has magnetic, street smart charisma, combined with rugged good looks; quite reminiscent of fellow Britons Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones. After this movie Hassan’s career took flight and he will star in several big features in the near future.
This movie has a lot to offer and it may not always be that subtle or polished, but its degree of reality is high and it has some interesting layers. I liked the harsh humour, colourful slang, genuine camaraderie and the insight it gives on these people. You will notice some references to Fight Club, Trainspotting, Snatch, La Haine and even a touch of Donnie Darko, but it stands on its own like a whole.
paco (89 posts)Certified movie phreak and conspiracy theorist.
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Great review. I love films like this and think I am about to enter another of my “angry young man film” phases. Expect appropriate reviews to follow.
I would love for you to see “The Firm” by Alan Clarke (about 3 small, warring firms of in late 1980′s Britain) and hear your opinion. Meanwhile, is the Football Factory available on DVD yet?
Comment by suzanna — Mon December 20, 2004 @ 9:23The Football Factory is on DVD (I bought it also) and has some nice extra features. Worth a buy.
Comment by Paco — Mon December 20, 2004 @ 12:29what is the real name of raff in football factory?
Comment by vicky — Thu March 31, 2005 @ 13:11Try ImdB.com
Comment by Paco — Fri April 1, 2005 @ 0:16This film looked absolutely great – literally that is. Impressive cinematography. It gave a very good feel for early 2000′s London and the mundane lives of the characters, spiced up with extreme violence at the weekends.
@ Paco: Frank Harper as Billy Bright was actually the performance that annoyed me most and I didn’t think he played his part well. Some of his scenes felt distinctly wooden, although others were appropriately disturbing too.
This one is definitely staying in my “angry young men” collection
Comment by suzero — Sat April 30, 2005 @ 12:50m8 i fukin loved i aint never saw a hooligan film that is so like the real thing back in the 80s when i was a hooligan we never wore all that designer gear and it was more brutal like when i went to sheffield i got my face slashed i always wondered why they never included that firm in the film they were brutal also they didnt show a fight with west ham proberly cus they wanted the veiwers to see that chelsea were on a winning streak haha no wonder they didnt include them.
Comment by dave redding — Fri December 2, 2005 @ 0:26raffs real name is callum mcnab i love da film it is the best film i av seen in my life danny deyer A.K.A (tommy johnson) and frank harper A.K.A (billy bright) are the best actors i av ever seen. i love the fights and the way raff and zeberdee are theiving little cunts. The film is well worth watching. I have supported chelsea all my life and dat i fink made me like da film even more coz it woz about chelsea. All da gals at skool dnt think much of dis film but i love it just coz im a gal ppl fink i wouldnt b interseted but m8 i am seeing all dem men fighing lol
Comment by georgie — Wed February 1, 2006 @ 16:48excellent review, the acting couldnt get more realistic, billy bright (frank harper), i loved the way they expressed they abuse to each other in the millwall vs chelsea junior scene.
5 start – brilliant
Comment by Olly — Fri February 3, 2006 @ 0:48It is very beautiful
Comment by Nikola — Tue February 14, 2006 @ 11:59D A N N Y D Y E R aka tommy is fucking beaut!!! and raffs real name is callum mcnab!
Comment by tor — Sat March 4, 2006 @ 16:49danny dyer n callum mcnab- bootiful
Comment by ellie — Thu April 13, 2006 @ 16:52how do you get a picture of raff and where will i get it from??????
Comment by catharine — Mon April 24, 2006 @ 20:22i luv footy factory tht fukin film is wicked i fink danny dyer n callum mc nab r fukin gorgeous ive tried findin pictures of callum but i cant seem 2 fine thm anywere id luv 2 meet thm both football factory is the best film ive ever seen its way better thn greenstreet i luv all the actors there all fit especially the 2 iv allready named lol
Comment by jess — Sat April 29, 2006 @ 15:12this is the fuckin bst film u wil eva see lol i luv it n danny dyer is fuckin amzin lol i love him soo much ma sis meet him in cheltenhham filming his new movie callum mcnab n zeb there fuckin stump i luv it im a gurl n al da gurls at my skewl luv da film but fink green street is betta but because danny is in this film it is the bst goin i luv the fight lol n da way they jst go 4 it i luv in 2 bits n alwaz will xxxxxxxx luv ya danny xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Comment by cand — Fri May 12, 2006 @ 15:43this is the fuckin bst film u wil eva see lol i luv it n danny dyer is fuckin amzin lol i love him soo much ma sis meet him in cheltenhham filming his new movie callum mcnab n zeb there fuckin stump i luv it im a gurl n al da gurls at my skewl luv da film but fink green street is betta but because danny is in this film it is the bst goin i luv the fight lol n da way they jst go 4 it i luv in 2 bits n alwaz will
Comment by cand — Fri May 12, 2006 @ 15:43football factory is a mint film it makes me wanna go out on fridays n fight !
Comment by dean briggs — Tue May 23, 2006 @ 14:43Great film!! LOVE Tamer Hassan – i think he’s absolutely gorgeous & a wicked actor – Danny Dyer- great too!! xx
Comment by Kat Excell — Wed June 7, 2006 @ 18:38this film is fukin class man best eva altho greenstreet is wikid 2
Comment by jonny — Tue July 18, 2006 @ 14:52hiya football factory is fuking mazin i just LOVE Calum McNab nd Roland Manookian cz they mazin actors calum u r fukinf lush and so funny i have pics of u every where i wanna meet u my name is megan barnett my msn is marge_edgar_preston@hotmail.com i dnt care if any 1 else reads this but u r lush 07962572576 luv u Calum McNab
Comment by megan — Sat July 22, 2006 @ 23:14xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ALL THE ACTORS R MAZIN LUV 2 MEET THE CAST 1 DAY IT IS 1 OF MA DREAMS I NO ITS FUKING RETARTED BUT THE FILM GIVES ME A BUZZ ITS SO GD LOVE ALL DA CAST JUST CANT STOP U R DA BEST ND SO IS MAN UTD LOL
Comment by megan — Sat July 22, 2006 @ 23:18XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
i fuckin lurv dis film…eneone else agree dat danny dyer(tommy johnson) and raff(callum mcnab) ar fuckin fit as!…x
Comment by rosie — Sat August 12, 2006 @ 22:09elo…:) if ene one has pictures of callum mcnab can yu please please please can you tell me were yu got them from please….! he is soooo fuckin fit its unbleivable lol….add me to msn x-rosie-x1991@hotmail.com
Comment by rosie — Mon August 14, 2006 @ 15:13Tamer Hassan what a dream boat, loved him in The Business aswell, wouldnt mind meeting him down a dark alley anytime. XXXXXXXXXXXX
Comment by Suzy — Thu August 17, 2006 @ 3:23omfg i watched football factory 4 tha 1st tym tha otha dai n fort it was ace.i fink raff(calum mcnab) is fukin mint he reminds me ov me ex bf bur much much nicer dis film is amazin n if u aven cin u it u r rly missin sumut exept 4 tha fact wer girls me n me m8 r lyk zeb n raff allways 2 geva robbin lil cunts n we both luv 2 fight (bur no so much 4 football)lol so just wanna say raff ur fit as fuk bbz XOXOXOX also d`ya rekongreenstreets eny gd i dnt weva 2 er it or nt ??
Comment by o.O-beth-O.o — Tue August 22, 2006 @ 17:09Babelfish anyone?
Comment by paco — Thu August 24, 2006 @ 15:47Well Beth… yeh ya ken watch green str if u lick fightn bt da rest o da film int no fckg good cz of de crap actin. buncha yanks tryna do cockny. nice tawkin 2 ya. suz.
Comment by suzero — Fri August 25, 2006 @ 17:47and i thought american e-speak was hard to understand. Holy crap!
Comment by marisa — Fri August 25, 2006 @ 22:53Eyah i think calum mcnab iz soo fkkin fit lol i i live bout 35 minz from his house lol i think ez proppa fit n mint fancyed him 4 ages n ages lol so GURLZ handz off ye lol jk hehe !!!! cya soon x well inabizzle x
Comment by cloe — Sat August 26, 2006 @ 21:56omg this film iz da bollockz! im lovin it! tamer hassan danny dyer and calum mcnab n roland r alll fukin gawjus !!!!!!!!!! x x x
Comment by frankie — Fri September 22, 2006 @ 0:53UZ lot r all fukin mental! du u seriosly fink dat if u put ur number on ere Callum McNab wil fone u? more chance im leaving the fuking country. Are you all on cowies or summit? a bet ur all wannabes at least i actually can relate to the film. you keep saying that even though your a lass you like the film could that have ought t d w who’s in it?
Comment by S.C.F — Sat September 30, 2006 @ 0:03Two possibilities:
Comment by Mariken — Mon October 2, 2006 @ 23:391) Football fans/hooligans are significantly smarter than us mere mortals and have developed a higher language with which they can communicate amongst themselves, bypassing all of us who don’t get the whole hooligan thing anyway.
2) the exact opposite of possibility nr. 1.
Write any fan mail for calum macnab to. Londinuim media managment floor 4. 33 cavendish sq london w1g opw
Comment by Info — Wed November 1, 2006 @ 15:18Oi! add me if yu have some gd pics frome Football factroy, love englishmen! X X /Swedish Bird (socke51@hotmail.com)
Comment by Karin — Mon November 6, 2006 @ 19:21is there goin to be a green street 2?????
Comment by adj — Thu November 9, 2006 @ 17:47i want a picture of raff please phwoarrr
Comment by danielle — Sat November 11, 2006 @ 19:52if you have a picture of calum mcnab please add me
Comment by danielle — Sat November 11, 2006 @ 19:57danielle_the_babe_2k2@hotmail.com
no1 else thinks hes fit .. ive got to prove them all wrong!!!!
love yaz xx
i luvd the fil it was great i especually luv it cause i we are the double of raff n zeb
Comment by oli n steve — Fri November 17, 2006 @ 1:48raff and zeb are the we love them and they are our role modles
Comment by oli n steve — Fri November 17, 2006 @ 1:50raff n zeb are our role models they rule every one says i am the double ov him
Comment by oli n steve — Fri November 17, 2006 @ 1:57Danny Dyer (aka Tommy) is fucking well fit n so is Raff? i loved to film so much i cud sit there n watch it all day long. (no joke). lvya Amy x x x x
Comment by Amy — Sun November 19, 2006 @ 18:51Megan B Callum is not actually gonna ring ya is he be fucking sensible or fuk sake.
Comment by Amy — Sun November 19, 2006 @ 18:52Where the hell can I buy the blue burberry baseball cap that Raff was wearing. Somebody please reply!
Comment by Jono — Sun December 3, 2006 @ 23:34been there done it with raf!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by mollie — Mon December 18, 2006 @ 15:45callum mcnab is so fukin fit we love him so much ..x_mwah_x
Comment by sharon nd jeannie — Sat December 30, 2006 @ 22:58he may be fit, but have you met him.????????
Comment by mollie — Wed January 3, 2007 @ 16:11calum is well hot i fucked some1 well thinkin of him
Comment by chelsea — Tue February 13, 2007 @ 14:59calum was round my house yesterday!!!!!! so if anyone of u want pics let me know and ill get some 4 u!!!…but it will cost u!!! stush_miss@msn.com. if ur lucky ill get them signed for you but that will also cost!!!! muahs……ps he has read all this….and to the girl who wants him 2 phone u…ull never know!!!!!
Comment by stushmiss — Wed February 14, 2007 @ 0:58calum will be @ the clapham grand this friday night 16/02/07. heads up girlies……this is a def not jokes so make sure ur there!!!! muahs x
Comment by stushmiss — Wed February 14, 2007 @ 1:04calum aint all that, wait till u get to know him. i knew his girlfriend. and chelsea y would u want to do that.get a life everyone.who does he think he is.
Comment by louise — Fri February 23, 2007 @ 12:12I have 2 points to make.
1. Calum won’t be at the clapham grand on friday stushmiss as he’s not even in the country.
2. Which girlfriend did you know louise?
Comment by ?? — Tue March 13, 2007 @ 12:40HOW MANY GIRLFRIENDS HAS HE HAD.
Comment by louise — Fri March 16, 2007 @ 14:55He’s a young bloke so of course he’s had a few. He hasn’t just had 1 girlfriend in his whole life!! He’s not married!!!
Comment by ?? — Tue March 20, 2007 @ 12:48he told me he had.which do u know?
Comment by louise — Wed March 21, 2007 @ 14:48And you actually believed him! I’ve known a few of them.
Comment by ?? — Wed March 21, 2007 @ 16:29if u know them, then what r there names?
Comment by louise — Thu March 22, 2007 @ 13:58Yeah, why? What was your friends name?
Comment by ?? — Thu March 22, 2007 @ 18:49