Film Review: Dead Man’s Shoes

About Dead Man's Shoes (2004)A blend of horror, the supernatural, comedy and social realism. Richard (Paddy Considine) has always protected his simple-minded younger brother, Anthony (Tony Kebbell), but when Richard leaves his rural Midlands’ village to join the army, Anthony is taken in by Sonny (Gary Stretch), a vicious local drug dealer, and his gang of thugs. Anthony becomes the gang’s pet and it amuses them to bully him and corrupt his innocence. Seven years later Richard returns for revenge.

Starring: Paddy Considine, Gary Stretch, Toby Kebbell

Directed by: Shane Meadows

Runtime: 86 minutes

Studio: Optimum Home Releasing

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Review: Dead Man’s Shoes

In this brutal revenge drama from Shane Meadows, Richard (Paddy Considine) returns to his home in the Midlands after seven years away in the army. He is accompanied by his younger brother Anthony (Toby Kebbell) who is mentally disabled and looks up to his brother who has always looked out for him. During Richard’s time away, Anthony fell victim to a cruel crowd led by drug dealer, Sonny (Gary Stretch), who mistreated him in an appalling manner, physically, mentally and even sexually. Richard’s return home is to avenge the brutal abuse inflicted on his brother and he has Sonny and six other men in his sight.

Richard’s return begins relatively quietly. After staring at one of Anthony’s attackers in a pub, Richard is initially confrontational but then apologetic. The encounter is enough to unnerve the man though and not only does he inform his friends about it, including Sonny, but he believes it is Anthony’s brother, Richard, that has returned. Sonny’s group are initially unconcerned but when Richard breaks into their homes and puts graffiti on walls, clothes and even paints Sonny’s face, everyone is forced to take notice. Richard has only just begun though. Having scared Sonny’s group he faces up to the drug dealer and vows revenge against all of his group. Richard simply will not rest until they are all dead and only then can he look his brother in the eyes again, blaming himself for not being there to protect him.

Dead Man’s Shoes is a gritty drama and while some of the violence is gory, it is the scenes depicting Anthony’s abuse that are the hardest to watch. While we watch Richard take his revenge, we see through a series of black and white flashbacks throughout the film what Sonny and his friends inflicted on Anthony. These scenes are not for the faint-hearted and may prove too upsetting for some people. Considine is very good in the lead as the vengeful Richard with Stretch and Kebbell also taking on good parts. Perhaps the only downside to the film is the twist at the end, one I predicted within the opening few minutes. It’s still an effective denouement but it’s not hard to guess.

Dead Man’s Shoes is a well-acted but uncompromising story of revenge. Though Richard’s wrath is often unpleasant you will feel no sympathy for his victims given what they did to Anthony. Despite a twist that you can see a mile off, this remains a well-crafted film of brotherly love and the pursuit of personal justice.

Verdict: 4/5

About the Author:

I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.

David M. Brown – who has written 846 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.

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