The Firm (2009)

Football hooligans organize themselves into firms that represent their favorite team.

Director:

Nick Love

Writers:

Al Ashton (original screenplay), Nick Love (adaptation)

Stars:

Paul Anderson, Calum MacNab, Daniel Mays

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Anderson	...	Bex
Calum MacNab	...	Dom
Daniel Mays	...	Yeti
Doug Allen	...	Trigger
Joe Jackson	...	Jay
Richie Campbell	...	Snowy
James Kelly	...	Beef
Jaf Ibrahim	...	Usef
Tommy Nash	...	Nunk
Eddie Webber	...	Bob
Camille Coduri	...	Shel
Billy Seymour	...	Terry
Joanne Matthews	...	Suzy
Ebony Gilbert	...	Justine
Michael Davis	...	Johnny

Storyline

Set in the 1980s, Dom is a teenager who finds himself drawn into the charismatic world of football 'casuals, influenced by the firm's top boy, Bex. Accepted by the gang for his fast mouth and sense of humor, Dom soon becomes one the boys. But as Bex and his gang clash with rival firms across the country and the violence spirals out of control, Dom realizes he wants out - until he learns it's not that easy to simply walk away.

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Plot Keywords:

hooliganism | football | violence | 1980s | sex | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Bex's estate agents is called Hunter Ashton & Clarke. Which is a nod to both the writer and the director of the 1989 original movie.

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Goofs

The main characters Bex and Dom are seen sat inside of a white 'scaffolding' van and visibly seen on the van's interior by the passenger seat belt is a modern L.E.D touch light gadget. This typical modern technology was not developed during the decade in which the film is set.

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Quotes

Bex: [Terry bumps into Bex on the dance floor] Whoa. Sorry mate.
Terry: It's alright mate. Teach you to dance like a fucking melt though, won't it?
Bex: Slow down. I'm just cutting a rug with me wife.
Terry: [Terry looks at Bex' wife] What that?
Bex: No, you don't wanna make one with me mate. I'll fucking leave you behind.

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Connections

Featured in The Wright Stuff: Episode #12.29 (2010)

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Soundtracks

(Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew
Written by Ruza Blue, Budd Dixon
Performed by The Rock Steady Crew
Published by Charisma Music Publishing Co Limited/ EMI Music Publishing Limited
Courtesy of Virgin Records Limited
(c) 1983

User Reviews

A better 80's review than a football hoolie film

After seeing some magazine articles about the film I was full of hope that this may be the best football hoolie film yet and certainly give a 'truer' representation of what life was like following football in the early eighties. Unfortunately, the reality is that it really carries no direction, you don't really find out anything about any of the characters and the lack of violence doesn't do the film any favours. Gary Oldman was a real 'psycho' in the original, Paul Anderson does a reasonable job but just wasn't menacing enough. The fight scenes were very poor, showing stand offs rather than actual fighting, that just wasn't what happened when two firms arranged a meet in the 80's. The music bought back a few memories and the best part of the film was the clothing, at least they got that right to a certain extent with Sergio, Fila, Ellesse and Pringle getting a good showing. Overall, it's a watchable film but it's not a great football film, not a lot of action and it isn't the best hooligan film to date, the original still takes that accolade. It's a shame but I don't think the original 'Firm' is likely to be beaten.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 September 2009 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Firm

Filming Locations:

Ferrier Estate, Kidbrooke, London, England, UK

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,094,777

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vertigo Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1