This hit the headlines in Britain when upon its initial release in London the Anti-Nazi League picketed cinemas showing it because ... well it gives that lot something to do . The fact that there's something inversely fascist in this by screaming " Fascist " or " Nazi " at someone doing something rabidly oppressive such as paying money to watch a film is lost on some people . At least London allowed the film to be shown unlike a few councils in Britain such as Glasgow city council who outright banned the film from being shown in cinema chains in the city . I'm guessing the thinking behind this is down to it being used as a recruiting campaign for far right groups ? Remind me what scene in this film promotes fascism in any way ?
Now that the ill founded controversy has died down ROMPER STOMPER is the film best known for a power house breakthrough performance by Russell Crowe who at the turn of the century was quite possibly the best known movie star in the world . It wasn't just his acting he was known for and would often make headlines being a little too free with his fists and seeing Crowe in this movie all those years ago led me to ask if Crowe wasn't using too much acting skill as a violent thug . As good as Crowe is it's the performance of Jacqueline McKenzie and the late Daniel Pollock that probably stand the test of time
Despite the memorable performances ROMPER STOMPER is a rather empty and unconvincing movie . It tries to be a gritty realist film but its constant use of an Oi soundtrack negates this . The production team didn't want to pay royalties to Neo-Nazi bands such as Skewdriver so that's two fingers up to both the Nazis and the anti-Nazis so congratulations to the production team for that . But the storytelling is a bit confusing it's got elements of a doomed love triangle but is in no way a twisted love story . Indeed the characters are difficult to buy in to and give the impression they're mere plot devices there to build up a story and have their world collapse around them as things go wrong . Perhaps this is why I thought the film tries to make a point of family and belonging but everything ends up becoming so confused that it's difficult to see what the point the film is trying to make . It's a good film in parts and you'll remember certain scenes such as the " fourth Reich fighting men " chase but at the end of the day ROMPER STOMPER is a rather empty film
Now that the ill founded controversy has died down ROMPER STOMPER is the film best known for a power house breakthrough performance by Russell Crowe who at the turn of the century was quite possibly the best known movie star in the world . It wasn't just his acting he was known for and would often make headlines being a little too free with his fists and seeing Crowe in this movie all those years ago led me to ask if Crowe wasn't using too much acting skill as a violent thug . As good as Crowe is it's the performance of Jacqueline McKenzie and the late Daniel Pollock that probably stand the test of time
Despite the memorable performances ROMPER STOMPER is a rather empty and unconvincing movie . It tries to be a gritty realist film but its constant use of an Oi soundtrack negates this . The production team didn't want to pay royalties to Neo-Nazi bands such as Skewdriver so that's two fingers up to both the Nazis and the anti-Nazis so congratulations to the production team for that . But the storytelling is a bit confusing it's got elements of a doomed love triangle but is in no way a twisted love story . Indeed the characters are difficult to buy in to and give the impression they're mere plot devices there to build up a story and have their world collapse around them as things go wrong . Perhaps this is why I thought the film tries to make a point of family and belonging but everything ends up becoming so confused that it's difficult to see what the point the film is trying to make . It's a good film in parts and you'll remember certain scenes such as the " fourth Reich fighting men " chase but at the end of the day ROMPER STOMPER is a rather empty film