Rise Of The Footsoldier - Never going to be to everyone's taste (but I liked it)

Rise of the Footsoldier is an interesting box of tricks. Some people describe it as `Britain's attempt at Goodfellas.' However, I couldn't see that much in common with the American classic. Yes, Footsoldier is about gangsters, but, despite being a `firm' they never came across as that organised in the way the American `Mafia' seems to be portrayed on film.

The film is apparently based on a true story. This is slightly open to interpretation as, in real life, the `truth' is still being debated. In 1995, three gang members were gunned down in a Range Rover in Essex. Footsoldier attempts to explain the motivations behind the murders. It's about Carlton Leach, a small time football hooligan in the early eighties, who works his way up to doorman. Yes, that doesn't sound that much of a `rise' but he also gets involved in some drug operations which elevate his status as an `enforcer.'

However, the story (spanning nearly two) hours, sort of leaves Carlton at about the hour mark and goes off to tell the tale of the three gangsters who will later be killed. This seems to have split audiences. Granted Leach was an unlikeable character (in fact, you may find it hard to find ANYONE in this film who you actually like), but at least he was the `hero' (or antihero possibly). The change of direction is sort of jarring and it put me off a bit on my first watch (I'm reviewing it on my second viewing for the record).

Perhaps Footsoldier is best looked at as a film of two halves. The first half sets up the scene, depicting how the underworld works in and around London, then we see what *might* happen to the three gangsters.

Rise of the Footsoldier is certainly not for everyone. It is extremely violent and bloody. Plus there isn't even any real humour to speak of (ala Lock Stock and Snatch). Our `hero' regular beats up people, including his own wife, leaving little sympathy for his plight. However, I still found it an interesting watch. I don't know how much of it is real. Yes, it is BASED on real events, but I got the impression that a fair amount of artistic licence had been taken with the film.

If you have a strong stomach and you like British gangster films, you may like this. Special mention to Craig Fairbrass for portraying a particularly nasty villain - Joe Pesci, you have just met your British counterpart.

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that