Dead Man's Shoes (2006)

When I read the synopsis, I expected a classic revenge story. Boy was I wrong. This is, indeed, a tale of revenge, but it deglamorizes it and shows that it's not satisfying, and that it does not produce a sense of completeness. Revenge is dark, bitter, and can make you become the very thing you brought your revenge upon. The acting and directing is superb, and there is a surreal feel sometimes that makes the story truly universal. This could take place anywhere in the world and still bring the same message. The revenge in this movie only exposes the true nature of its perpetrator, a nature he himself is not able to live with. It ended as it was supposed to end, and I have to say this is a nearly flawless movie. Unfortunately, I think it would be hard to watch it again. Nobody likes being punched twice in the stomach.

Harrowing story with amazing climax of a mans journey seeking revenge

Oh my word. Firstly I am stunned I have never heard or seen a clip of this before. I stumbled on a short scene of this on you tube and was intrigued from watching this morsel. I felt compelled to watch this straight away and was not disappointed. This is a low budget British film that falls into several categories, Revenge, darkly comic, Thriller cum horror. It is also a tale of loss and being lost and borders on the supernatural and mental illness. I was actually scared watching this and shocked to be honest. There is no finesse or pomp in its acting and the characters are mainly unpleasant .Paddy Consadines portrayal as Richard is up there with Ben Kingsleys Don Logan and Joe Pesci's Tommy DeVito and is thoroughly menacing. I highly recommend this.

Dead Man's Shoes is almost like a Clint Eastwood, shot without the glory of Hollywood and a high budget. Instead this film leaves a devastating effect through it's immense realism. I feel this realism is created through the brilliance of acting, along with the bleak English feel, and the dialogue that seems entirely accurate to the characters who speak it. By this I mean the script is not over- dramatised, but is rather fully believable. The soundtrack was by artists unknown to me, and the songs used are both of great quality and are used to a great effect to emphasise the emotion of each scene. At one point the music gradually builds up until the speaking of an actor is entirely drowned out, it is remarkable how through this, emotion is conveyed without the need for dialogue. Just by the brilliant acting and the expressions on the characters face, you gain a full understanding of what is being spoken without knowledge of the words. I feel if I say too much I would be in danger of ruining the fantastic plot. If you are into gritty, emotionally draining films, seriously give this a watch.