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"Paddy Considine
Lives In A Dead Man's
Shoes" |
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Directed by Shane
Meadows - Written by
Shane Meadows, Paddy
Considine
Starring Paddy Considine,
Toby Kebbell, Gary
Stretch
Distributed by Optimum -
2006 - 90mins - Rated R |
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He's in all of us. |
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"Dead Man's Shoes"
opens with Richard (Paddy Considine) reflecting on the torture his
brother endured at the hands of a group of bullies in their hometown
of Matlock in England. "God will forgive them for what they have done,
and he will allow them into heaven. I can't live with that."
In "Dead Man's Shoes," Considine ("In America") plays Richard, a
disaffected soldier who returns home to the small village of Matlock
in England after several years in the military. Richard is bent on
payback to this group of local bullies who tormented his brother,
Anthony (Toby Kebbell) while he was gone.
Richard, who has become fearless after years in the military, uses
guerilla tactics to first frighten them, then he begins his own
increasingly violent forms of torment against each person responsible
for the acts against his brother.
"Dead Man's Shoes" is being inappropriately marketed in the U.S., with
most advertising having it appear as if the film is a British slasher
flick. The film does become increasingly violent, however, the film's
overall tone is closer to "Straw Dogs" than any type of slasher flick.
The script, by Considine and director Shane Meadows, is balanced in
moving between flashbacks of the young brothers, flashbacks of
Anthony's torment by the bullies, and Richard's current attacks on the
bullies.
In the role of Richard, Paddy Considine gives a subdued, incredibly
restrained performance. Considine communicates more vividly with a
piercing look than many actors do with the spoken word. Considine's
performance is marvelous, and the fact that he co-authored this cript
is a strong indicator that Considine is as gifted a writer as he is an
actor.
As Anthony, newcomer Toby Kebbell gives a dignified performance that
includes all the stereotypical tics and smirks, however, the
performance constantly feels real.
The collection of ragtag bullies is interesting, and they cross nearly
every lifestyle choice. We have the town's local crime leader, a gay
couple, a young woman, two elderly man and one man who seems too
paralyzed to do anything. He never fully participates, but he seems
unable to make any gesture towards stopping the acts.
As the violence progresses, the audience is left increasingly to make
its own judgment calls. The torment that Anthony endures is revealed
in flashbacks that are simply too grainy to be fully compelling. They
still have a remarkable impact and do, finally, begin to explain
the gravity of Richard's actions. However, up to this point it becomes
difficult to truly justify the drastic steps that Richard is taking in
the name of revenge. By the time the film ends, it is Richard who has
become the tormentor and this leads to a final altercation that is
ambiguously filmed that it radiates both hopefulness and despair.
The film's production quality is remarkably fresh, and includes
extremely atypical music for this type film. The music used in "Dead
Man's Shoes" could almost be described as Irish folk music...it is
quiet, peaceful and reflective. It takes a very similar tone to the
one Richard carries as the film progresses.
The direction by Shane Meadows is well-paced, balanced and highly
suspenseful. Characters are developed with such balance and clarity
that there are times when it becomes unclear exactly who should be
rooted for, especially in the film's latter half.
The cinematography is strong, with significant use of faded colors and
varying shades of black and white. One scene, in particular, shows the
mastery of Meadows as a director. There is a scene of being "under the
influence." While in most director's hands such a scene would be
laughable and filled with stereotypes, in the hands of Shane Meadows,
the film becomes an authentic and gripping tale of life in a small
England town.
"Dead Man's Shoes," after over a year on the festival circuit, opens
on May 12th, 2006 nationwide. The film is currently playing in the
Indianapolis International Festival and will be distributed by
Magnolia Picturez. |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
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