As a keen, passionate football fan who arrived on the scene way after the 'golden age' of football hooliganism, this particular genre of film really appeals to me.
Awaydays is totally different to the laddish, almost comedic 'Football Factory' and the attempted honourable, noble portrayal of football hooliganism in 'Green Street' - Awaydays offers a negative, gloomy, dangerous view of a by-gone era, and refreshingly so.
I thought the complicated bromance between the two main characters was acted extremely well, very believable. However, the running time of the film didn't allow for the complexity of their relationship to develop properly.
The two other factors that really bugged me about this film were the fight scenes; a group of teenagers easily turning over gangs of fully grown men, and a fellow member of the gang killing the leader for no real reason - without any repercussions. The two were having a disagreement throughout the film over one of them selling heroin to other members of the 'firm', but the sub-plot was far too thin to make such a drastic action relevant.
Overall, an interesting film offering a different insight into the 'casual' culture. The mood may be more in touch with the reality of that particular lifestyle, but a few major drawbacks prevent Awaydays from pulling off its intended significance and impact.
Awaydays is totally different to the laddish, almost comedic 'Football Factory' and the attempted honourable, noble portrayal of football hooliganism in 'Green Street' - Awaydays offers a negative, gloomy, dangerous view of a by-gone era, and refreshingly so.
I thought the complicated bromance between the two main characters was acted extremely well, very believable. However, the running time of the film didn't allow for the complexity of their relationship to develop properly.
The two other factors that really bugged me about this film were the fight scenes; a group of teenagers easily turning over gangs of fully grown men, and a fellow member of the gang killing the leader for no real reason - without any repercussions. The two were having a disagreement throughout the film over one of them selling heroin to other members of the 'firm', but the sub-plot was far too thin to make such a drastic action relevant.
Overall, an interesting film offering a different insight into the 'casual' culture. The mood may be more in touch with the reality of that particular lifestyle, but a few major drawbacks prevent Awaydays from pulling off its intended significance and impact.