Nick Love’s fresh take on The Firm arrives on DVD.
And you know what?
It feels good to be proved wrong once in a while.
His first film,Goodbye Charlie Bright, was a decent debut that showed a promising young director.
Just that his films are seemingly aimed at the Zoo / Nuts crowd.
Thats the scene that I left Blackpool to escape.
As well as football hooliganism, the film also touched on the politics of Thatchers Britain.
Anderson, in particular, stands out in a very tricky role.
Just watch his turn in the amazing three part seriesRed Riding.
That being said, though, there are two things that Love improves on the original.
Thats the fashion and the fight scenes.
Love, on the other hand, goes for the casual sportswear fashion of the early 80s.
In the 2009 film, the fight scenes are a stand out.
Full crowds of people now face off against each other, filmed with a real intensity.
They are chaotic, brutal, but never gratuitous or glamorised.
Love shows a real eye in the clever shots that really put you in amongst the fighting.
There are fewer scenes that show his family life and the conflict his fighting brings his wife.
I would really have liked to have seen more of this conflict in a sort ofWall StreetorThis Is Englandway.
But, as I said before, this is a personal one and probably not a valid criticism.
After watchingThe FirmIve definitely learnt not to judge a book by its cover.
I now eagerly await his next film, and I never thought Id say that.
Extras
This is more of a case of quality not quantity.
There are only two features but they are both golden.
It involves Love, Anderson and technical consultant Lee Jackson.
Plus, they call my most hated critic, Christopher Tookey, a nonce.
Film:
The Firmis out now andavailable from the Den Of Geek Store.
Rating:
4 out of 5
