Eye For Film >> Movies >> The Firm (1988) Film Review
Before Nick Love remade it in his own distinctive “I’ll ‘ave ya, ya fackin cahnt!” style, The Firm was a seminal TV movie made by Alan Clarke.
Though by day he’s a respectable estate agent, by night Bex Bissell (GaryOldman) is the leader of a gang of football hooligans. Wanting to take a united English firm into Munich for the 1988 Euro Championships, Bex proposes himself as a leader, but when his two rivals refuse to comply each group begins fighting for supremacy.
![Copy picture](/images/stills/f/firm_1988_1.jpg)
Unlike Love's remake, the original focuses largely on its psychopathic lead and essentially eschews his relationship with the bunch’s latest addition.
While it is a searing indictment of Eighties Thatcherite mentality, Clark’s last movie (he sadly died following its release – like previous efforts Scum and Made In Britain became a controversy- magnet due to its ingredients: football, hooliganism, violence… and that’s before you consider Gary Oldman’s ‘tache.
Though starting off relatively subdued, as we progress, so too does the violence. There are a few moments memorable for their brutality (facial scarring, a kiddie switchblade incident), but what’s commendable is the lack of football. No wait, hear this out. Clarke was himself a fan of the beautiful game, and he demonstrates what all the thugs out there should learn - football and fighting shouldn’t go hand in hand.
Of course, it’s essentially the Gary Oldman show. The young actor gives a stunning, tour-de-force performance that straddles multiple aspects of the same person. Shot mostly with tracking steadicam, this gives Oldman the chance to showcase each facet - from suited respectable citizen to ferocious out-of-control animal, from well-to-do family man to ambitious would-be-leader, he nails them all. Additionally, the supporting cast is made up of familiar faces; Mickey Pierce from Only Fools and Horses, Jim McDonald from Corrie (sporting the worst Cockney accent ever) and – wait for it – Phil Mitchell.
Raw, violent and controversial, Alan Clarke’s film has plenty of kick.
Reviewed on: 09 Mar 2010