Review of Dead Man's Shoes (2004) by Ryan M — 04 Feb 2011

I'm a huge fan of Shane Meadows. After watching the excellent 24/7 and the truly amazing This is England I had to check this one out.

Meadows style is gritty realism, not just in violent terms - although that is displayed well in this film, but the language and script are so relevant. The words spoken are the sort of words you might expect to hear in your local pub, not the dramatic rousing speeches you might hear in the latest hollywood blockbuster.

Dead Man's Shoes is Paddy Considine's film. As the army veteran who comes back to his old town to find his disabled brother has been brutally tortured and killed, he goes on the rampage. Seeking revenge from the men who treated his brother like a dog - forcing him speed and leading him around on a rope. Kind of like a Get Carter or Death Wish.

In true Meadows style, the film is really down to earth and gritty. It features believable characters and excellent acting from all involved- especially some of the lowlife drug users who inhabit the Derbyshire town of Matlock.

The locations are suberb also, showing the underbelly of drug culture in Matlock - the weird backgardens and run down buildings as well as deserted castles and outhouses.

As ever, Meadows has created another masterpiece. One that strikes of realism and is incredibly watchable throughout. I look forward to watching the upcoming Somers Town and how that that film reaches the audiences that it's directors deserves - because theres an awful lot of crap films out there and its great to see a Britsih director making quality films like this.

Dead Man's Shoes was shown recently on Film 4, so if you're thinking of seeing it, I'm sure It'll be on again soon.