Cass

Dir: Jon S. Baird

2008

***

I'm not sure the world really needs another film about Football hooliganism but if I had to pick only a few to recommend then Cass would be towards the top of my list. Unlike most films of it's ilk, there is a little bit more to the story and the story is true. The film is about the young life of Cass Pennant, a young black man adopted by a middle-age white couple and raised in a predominantly racist 1960's East London. Being black but raised by whites, Cass, understandably, had somewhat of a difficult issue with identity. Like many young men, he found solace in being part of a gang, he finally felt he belonged somewhere as part of a team and eventually, head of a notorious firm. Violence was the only way he could find respect. I don't really understand the frustration that leads to a life of working weekday 9-5 with ultra-violence at the weekend but Cass does go as far as to try and explain it unlike many other films in the genre. There is a saying that I agree with that states that; 'A good war film is an anti-war film'. Cass may claim that it doesn't glamorize violence but the truth is that it does a bit. However, it also highlights how utterly pointless and unnecessary it is as well as unavoidable it can seem. The performances range between overcooked (Paul Kaye), stereotypical (Leo Gregory) and outstanding (Nonso Anozie) and the direction is good. It's a far more personable film than you're average football hooligan film and this is what makes it stand out. The cameo from the real Cass and Frank Bruno are big bonus.