Drawn into a bogus drug scandal by his wealthy roommate, a high-achieving Harvard newspaper editor (Elijah Wood) is kicked out of school just a few months shy of getting his degree and flies to the United Kingdom to live with his sister (Claire Forlani) and her family. But his subsequent involvement with the local Green Street Elite -- a gang of violent soccer fans -- could change his life forever.
If only all of us could be a Green Street Hooligan. Then we would be living life to its fullest; drinking every night, no responsibilities, and getting into epic brawls with the other firms over something as silly as soccer. Only a film centered overseas could get pull something like this off yet still act completely serious the entire time.
The fights were the draw to bring it an audience, it was the sole reason I wound up watching this in the first place, but when the film came to an end, I thought the brawls might have been the weakest parts of the film. Were they bad? No, but it just felt absurd they would fight over soccer. Sorry the American in me just will never understand the popularity of the sport. They were good to watch, but as soon as someone talked it killed the moment of the scene because these cheesy lines felt like a distraction to the brawl that was happening. How the hell does somebody have time for a speech in the middle of a street brawl? The film just could not hold back and ruined it with Hollywood –like additions.
The redeeming quality that could have saved the film from being miserable was its message of brotherhood. The bonds the members of the Green Street crew develop run much deeper than just soccer. It has become a way of life for them, specifically from the leader, Pete. Charlie Hunnam as Pete is the entire film. His portrayal of the gang’s leader felt Oscar worthy standing next to everyone else. He just felt so natural in his part and turned himself into a character you come to enjoy. Everyone else seemed to force themselves into hardasses that either came off as stale or funny, either way it was hard to watch. Casting Elijah Wood as a badass was and still has got to be one of the worst castings I have seen that makes a movie instantly worse. Just didn’t gel with me.
Green Street Hooligans reminds me a lot of Boondock Saints. They have a cult following that claim the film is gold and you cannot convince them otherwise. I am not one of those fans. The fights were short and overhyped, and the story of an outsider turning into an insider just was not written in a way that makes it enjoyable. The sole reason to watch is to watch Charlie Hunnam kick ass in his natural accent. Cult fans enjoy!
Overall Score: 5/10
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