About the only people Carlton Leach does not hit is his two wives, both of whom are remarkably tolerant. I really enjoyed this romp through the wilds of cockney Essex, which is why I'm giving it an 8. I liked the fantastic attention given to the violence, particularly the football fights early on. It's very real and shocking. It's a quick paced movie, with some confident narration (from the protagonist) over quick edit montages of the action. Characters come and go, but by the time the 'firm' is established later on we settle in to a more spectator role on life around Mr Leach, rather than his own adventures. The closer we come to the strange but ultimately rewarding (and original) finale, the closer we reach that depiction of gangland movies to which we've become accustomed. It's quite a ride. I thought some of the banter was a little forced and overblown, but that didn't distract from the pace or the impact. The last third is full of psychotic psychopathic behaviour, and, honestly, quite something to behold. I doubt this film won any awards, but no-one can accuse the brave filmmakers of holding back.
Review of Rise of the Footsoldier
