MovieChat Forums > Rise of the Footsoldier (2008) Discussion > Here's the problem with this movie.

Here's the problem with this movie.

posted 15 years ago by protolexis
14 replies | jump to latest

First off I just want to say that I love British gangster films and I wanted to like this movie a lot but sadly I couldn't for one simple reason: the script was a complete and utter mess. Things start off really strong and we see Carlton Leach go from a hooligan to a small time gangster. Then somewhere just past the middle of the film, the story takes a 180 degree turn and no longer focuses on the protagonist. We're introduced to new characters, which is fine, but now we aren't seeing a "rise of a footsoldier" we're getting a history lesson on the Rettendon Murders.

Leach is now depicted as someone out of the game and we hardly see him much during the second part of the film, except at the end when he cries about the loss of his friend. As a result of this I ended up not caring for any of the characters, even Leach, because there is simply nothing to care for - he's no longer in a position of power and he's been reduced to a nobody. Perhaps if the story was a lot more cohesive and we actually did see an ascension of power by Leach throughout the entire film then maybe I would have given a damn. I realize these are based on true events, but focusing on one character for half of a film then presenting the viewer with a completely different storyline just seems like really sloppy storytelling.

"Join the army, see the world, meet interesting people - and kill 'em." - Woody Allen

[–] protolexis 15 years ago

bump

"Join the army, see the world, meet interesting people - and kill 'em." - Woody Allen

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] kittenmalibu 14 years ago

I couldn't agree more. I also thought it was pretty low rent and a bit cliche (like a bad Snatch, whatbwith the narration, regardless on it being based on true events). I think
I have to like the main character in any gangster/hooligan film, and I just thought he was such a pr!ck that there wasn't one redeeming quality in Carlton.

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[–] brownguy2004 14 years ago

basicly

didnt seem to know which character to focuse on cause neither could carry a movie

3 guys who were killed were probally just to big of *beep* to make you follow them in the movie

and the main guy in this one basicly retired early

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[–] Rozzi1 9 years ago

"Rise of the Footsoldier" is nothing like "Snatch". Not even a 'bad' "Snatch". One is an epic rise-and-fall gritty gangland drama, the other is a stylised black-comedy set in 'gangland'. WTF?

[–] Sensi85 14 years ago

Its a flawed film in several respects, the editing is really jumpy as well, but this didn't stop me from enjoying it.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] protolexis 14 years ago

Well it's based on a true story so we aren't debating whether it's realistic. My issue was the script, storytelling and the way the film was presented...sloppily.

"Join the army, see the world, meet interesting people - and kill 'em." - Woody Allen

[–] TheSummer2012 13 years ago

Agree with the OP there.

[–] Viltrumite 13 years ago

Tate seemed like a liability. He and Tucker were a pair of nasty bastards who deserved what they got.

"Why do you say this to me when you know I will kill you for it?"

[–] Rayofsunshine11 13 years ago

I agree with you . It was clear how Carlton got involved with tony , pat and Craig and how uncomfortable he grew with their erratic behaviour pats especially .

The film was shown from Carlton's perspective and unless you wanted a long drawn out process then they snipped the football and doorman bits down and concentrated on the three men Carlton has become a known man for having associations with .

[–] WVfilmfem 13 years ago

Really...really...who cares that three psychopaths were assassinated? Calton Leach could easily have been among them, and it would have been okay, as he is a psychopath as well. This is a film about unredeemable characters. Who cares about any of them?

[–] Icecutter 10 years ago

it actually became interesting you mean

[–] !!!deleted!!! (43071862) 9 years ago

Here's your problem mate...

The movie is based on real life events, and is 90% accurate, having read the book.

The title is misleading, because Carlton's character doesn't really rise to anything, he's a doorman on a night club firm controlled by Tucker and Tate.

The undertone of the book was that if Tate and Tucker hadn't gone around smashing the life out of everyone for the sake of being a "face" and just kept a low profile, then they could have made a fortune from selling drugs. They acted like gangsters for the sake of it, and that always gets people killed or locked up. That is a clear message in many gangster related autobiographies/ accounts.

They completely left out the fact that some of their drugs had been contaminated, and as a result a young girl died, who happened to be the daughter of a high ranking police officer. That's where the "police murder"
link comes in at the end.

These were small time crooks who acted big time, got noticed, and got wiped out by one of the establishments - we just don't know which. In addition, two career criminals received life sentences for the murders, which are extremely questionable.

I think the movie captures and delivers the message well. The rise is fast, and the fall is brutal and often unjust, but one way or another you get what's coming.