Dead Man's Shoes

For all the emotions that have been used in cinema revenge is perhaps one of the best suited for a taut story line. Called the dish best served cold revenge fits perfectly into the usual format of a film. The stages of the emotion translate to the acts in a good story. There is the offense, the actions that drive the need for revenge. Then you have the planning, this can take years. Next is the execution, the plan finally coming to fruition. Last there are the repercussions, what is the fallout of the revenge. Shane Meadows’ latest film ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’ looks at how revenge takes over a man’s life driving him to actions he never would have thought he was capable of.

Fresh out of his service in the army Richard (Paddy Considine) returns home to the sleepy, rural town he grew up in. The military was the only way out for Richard, an escape from the usual monotony that is prevalent in the community. Unfortunately, Richard’s brother, Anthony (Toby Kebell). Anthony was too dim witted for much of anything and he had to stay behind. Richard had always been there for his brother, his friend, his protector and the only one that really care. While Richard was gone Anthony fell in with the local drug dealing lowlife, Sonny (Gary Stretch) and his motley crew of misfits. At first they befriend the mentally challenged man but soon they turn on him with unimaginable psychological and physical torture. When Richard discovers how his helpless brother was mistreated his first thoughts of revenge are rather benign, more on the order of mean spirited pranks than anything else. As the dark emotion festers in Richard his thoughts turn more to a full out vendetta. By the time the first body is dispatched and left hacked apart in a bathroom it is too late for Richard to turn back. He works his way through the pack that tortured his brother wanting to savor the leader Sonny for some special treatment. The only one that receives a reprieve is a reformed gang member now with a family. Richard is a man driven by revenge but also a great deal of guilt. If he hadn’t been so selfish as to want to get out of the town and join the army he would have been there to still protect Anthony. By killing the ones that hurt his younger brother he is desperately trying to expunge his own culpability.

The film is strong but does have its flaws. Too little background is provided for the gang. While they are guilty of torturing a mental disabled man they are guilty of a heinous crime but death may be, pardon the pun, overkill. Even the Godfather would not consent to murder as revenge for a non lethal transgression. Much of what transpires was done better in films like Straw Dogs. The film has too many elements in common with every other revenge flick ever shown. There was potential for this to rise above the pack if the writer had expanded more on the inner conflict tearing Richard apart. While the conflict between revenge and guilt is a theme it would have helped is more attention was given to this conflict instead of just getting around to the payback. For such a small and quite little town they seem to have more than their fair share of bad guys roaming about.

On the plus side this film does have aspects that work. The relationship between Richard and Anthony is nicely played out. Richard as the perpetual protector is juxtaposed against the man-child Anthony. The army was also a perfect training ground for Richard to learn out to plan a mission of revenge. In too many films of this genre the protagonist seems to be able to plan a mission better than any Navy Seal. Here at least a foundation was laid for Richard’s deadly abilities. There is also nothing really special about Richard. This helps the audience to identify with his actions. He is a man who is usually reasonable pushed to the most unreasonable of actions.

Paddy Considine gives a powerful and well crafted performance. His is sullen and driven, perfect to convey the emotion of revenge. He can switch between a man who loves his disabled brother and one capable of terrible acts of violence. Considine takes his character on an emotional arc during the film. He starts out harmless enough, painting the gang member’s faces while they sleep or vandalizing their homes. He portrays a man that is sinking into revenge not one that dives in head first. This makes his character more understandable and allows the audience some degree of sympathy. Considine is able to play Richard as a full character and not a two dimensional cartoon that is typical of revenge flicks. Considine gives a little hypocrisy to Richard. He comes back from the army feeling that his violent tendencies have been abated only to give in to them as soon as possible. Toby Kebell also does a fine job in his role. All too often an actor portraying a mental challenged character goes too far with his mimicry of the symptoms. Kebell plays Anthony organically, living the part instead of forcing on the audience. There is also some chemistry between him and Considine that helps drive the film. Gary Stretch has the best job in the film, playing the bad guy. It is permissible here to take things a little closer to the edge so the audience is ready for the revenge to be served.

Writer-director Shane Meadows is most likely not a name that will be recognized by audience members not familiar with British art house cinema. Those same Americans will find some of the Northern English dialogue difficult to follow but that is hardly his fault. He paces the film well building to his twist of an ending. Meadows frames the scenes well with a good attention to details. There is some dark humor infused in the film to break up the mood but there are times when it feels like the film just can’t decide which direction it should go.

Magnolia does bring films to DVD that most mainstream audience would not otherwise be aware of. They are not afraid to release a film that most people have never heard of. The anamorphic 1.85:1 video is well done. The color balance is used to reinforce the mood and does so nicely. The transfer is without defects or artifacts. The Dolby 5.1 audio provides a rich, full sound stage. There are several extras which is typical of a release by Magnolia. The audio commentary featuring Meadows, Considine and producer Mark Herbert is better than average. They detail the methods and motivations for the film while being entertaining. ‘Shane’s Shoes’ gives a first person look at what it takes to be a director. It will really fascinate those out there who aspire to sit in the director’s chair. Rounding things out are some deleted scenes and an alternate ending. This is a good film for those that enjoy the genre.

Posted 8/31/06