Matcollis
This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.
UnowPriceless
hyped garbage
wilsonstuart-32346
Tired of endless 'Mockney' gangster flicks? Fed up with Danny Dyer? Bored with the same plots and dialogue recycled time after time (think Essex Boys anyone)? Then Clubbed is just the antidote you need.Set in Birmingham in the early 1980s, a meek factory work (with a shaded backstory) re-establishes his pride, confidence and even masculinity in the dangerous world of nightclub security. The acting, direction and production values are simply first class; characters are brought to life as three dimensional people with challenges, values, beliefs and problems like everyone else; and, yes, the violence is frequent, messy and sudden - again, just like in real life - but like every other life lesson and action (beneficial or otherwise) contained within this morality play, its use is never without consequences.
JoeytheBrit
Writer Geoff Thompson is a former bouncer who allegedly advocates hiding in the company loos to write your next best-seller so that some poor chump unknowingly pays you to do it while one of your workmates has to do the work you neglect. Works for him, I suppose, but not the most honest of attitudes (if it's true).This film is based on his autobiographical novel and it's quite a decent little film (although James Marquand's similarly themed Dead Man's Cards beats it by a country mile in all departments). The story is sort of believable - although morally dubious - but it's let down by a failure to establish a believable sense of period and a poor performance from Colin Salmon who might look the part but is totally unbelievable as a philosophical hard man who takes Thompson alter-ego Mel Raido under his wing. Salmon's lack of presence is counter-balanced by a good performance from Scot Williams as Sparky, one of a cadre of three bouncers who become Danny's (Raido) surrogate family when his marriage (and life) fall apart. Raido himself isn't that believable as a hard man thanks to an unfortunate resemblance to 50s British comedian Norman Wisdom. Despite this disability he delivers a decent performance while never really managing to win the audience's sympathy.The violence in this film is graphic and liberally sprinkled throughout the film, as is the kind of language that made films like Rise of the Foot Soldier, another recent Brit crime-flick, so laughable. No doubt it's authentic in some milieus but sometimes realism paradoxically serves to undermine the truth of a scene...
gary-444
A tremendous British film boasting a strong cast, intelligent script, and a solid story. Tightly edited, the film bounces along mainly due to some superb characterisation. The plot basics are simple. A drifting loser finds boxing,a friendship and purpose, but all at a price.Colin Salmon as Head Bouncer Louis dominates proceedings physically with an utterly convincing brooding presence, and a fine acting performance.Shaun Parkes shines as his sidekick Rob, and Mel Raido carries the lead role as Danny with a restrained, under stated performance."Coronation St" fans will spot Nikki Sanderson ( the erstwhile Candice)as Dance Teacher Gee Gee.Whilst violent, and crude, the cerebral reflections of Danny, and some wry dialogue ,elevate this above the banal "geezer speak" of some of its genre contemporaries, noticeably the work of Guy Ritchie.Although the bloody "crucifiction scene" echoes one from the seminal "Long Good Friday", Director Neil Thompson succeeds in providing staple ingredients which deliver credibility rather than cliché, with the 95 minute running time just right. It is also far superior to the contemporaneous "Shifty" by Eran Creevy.A hidden gem which will stand the test of time.
demaym
I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much from this one, but I thought it might be o.k - So I was pleasantly surprised, as I found myself gripped within the first 10 minutes.This film is fast paced, so you won't get bored. It just gets on with it and flows nicely throughout. No filler, no overly long dialogue, and no corny subplots.Not one for the faint hearted, as adrenaline is sure to pump throughout. Not many movies manage to hit the right spots at the right time, so these guys did a good job.The soundtrack is great, and really compliments the action. The acting is realistic, and the casting was superb. You become quite attached to the characters throughout this short journey.With action, violence, drama, crime, comedy, and touching moments, this film should appeal to a wide range of people.As far as British film goes, this movie is right up there, and possibly in a league of its own.A very enjoyable and touching flick, which I'd recommend to anybody - especially fans of British cinema.9/10
