Film Reviews

Cass

• Rating:
• Director: Jon S. Baird
• Starring: Leo Gregory
• Details: UK / 108mins (16).

Based on the true life of Cass Pennant, and adapted from his own book, Cass chronicles the rise and rise of West Ham's notorious football hooligan. Opening in 1993 with an attempt on his life outside a nightclub, Cass flips back to 1958 where his orphaned Jamaican baby is adopted by a white elderly couple, and from there we witness the racial abuse he was subjected to as a child and teenager. A chance ruck with rival supporters in his teens unleashes years of pent up aggression and Cass (Anozie) goes on to become one of the most feared firm leaders in Britain. The major problem with Cass is that it goes about its business as if I.D, The Firm, Green Street and The Football Factory never existed, and what we're left with his every football cliché imaginable hammered home by tepid dialogue. If Nick Love (The Football Factory, The Business) can be accused of writing on the nose, Baird's gratuitous use of voiceover takes it to another level with a Randy 'sing-what-you-see' Newman obviousness. For example:

INT. PUB – DAY

Cass walks into a pub and orders a pint.

Cass
(V.O.)
I walked into a pub and ordered a pint.

Cass sits down, opens a newspaper and starts to read.

Cass
(V.O)
I sat down, opened a newspaper
and started to read.

This isn't writing. This is a lazy film directed by someone who isn't ready. It doesn't even have Danny Dyer in it. For shame.

Review by Gavin Burke