The Football Factory

By FRANCESCA RUDKIN

(Herald rating: * * * )


If you thought Bend It Like Beckham was a poor excuse for a film about soccer, then The Football Factory might be more your thing. Just don't expect to see players in action.

Based on the cult novel by John King, The Football Factory is a violent and humorous story about working class lads who belong to the Chelsea Headhunters, a group of football thugs whose dedication sees them sacrifice relationships, jobs and their bodies in support of their team.

Surprisingly, there is more to the Chelsea Headhunters than a group of young men with little better to do. They are "The Firm", three generations of working class men who work together, look after each other, and kick the crap out of people in the weekends.

Through the eyes of 20-something Tommy Johnson, we meet patriarchal Billy Bright, a bitter and violent man who feels his country has failed him; Zebedee, a young drug-addled thief who isn't intelligent enough to keep himself out of trouble; and Rob, Tommy's oldest mate who briefly gets distracted by a woman, before remembering he'd rather be bashing people than meeting the parents.

When Chelsea draws Millwall in the FA Cup, Tommy's feud with the Millwall gang leader comes to a head. So when the game finishes, the fighting begins.

Yes, they are a lousy lot, but at least they know how to dress. Turning out in Burberry and Lacoste, these boys might be prepared to make a mess of their faces but they know that's no excuse for poor sartorial standards. Bless 'em.

Unsurprisingly, The Football Factory isn't the most relaxing or uplifting film. It's filled with hard-hitting violence, and pumped along by a hip soundtrack in the vein of Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or Human Traffic.

A mildly compelling study of how some fans of the beautiful game think no match is complete without an ugly after-match function.

CAST: Danny Dyer, Frank Harper, Dudley Sutton, Jamie Foreman

DIRECTOR: Nick Love

RUNNING TIME: 91 mins

RATING: TBC

SCREENING: Rialto