Movie Review

The movie that I've seen most recently that memorably shows some unique values and worldviews is Green Street Hooligans. The different worldviews can be seen most clearly throughout the development of the main charcter, Matt. Matt is a relatively nice kid who is wrongfully expelled from Harvard (because of his roomate) but, because he is a cautious, no-conflict person, he accepts his unfortunate situation and goes to England to see his sister. It is here where his views of the world would change most significantly. He meets his brother-in-law's brother who, grudingly, ends up taking Matt to a soccer game and exposing him to the ultraviolent, ultra crude world of soccer firm (basically gangs) hooliganism. They fight the firms of other soccer teams for nothing more than reputation and adrenaline. Though frightened by this world at first, Matt soon falls in love with the lifestyle. He says that the best part isn't knowing that your friends have your back, it's knowing that you have your friends' backs. The prevailing values are pride and fighting no matter the cost. Later, though, Matt sees the dark side of this violent lifestyle as close friends are seriously injured and even killed for no reason other than revenge. He then turns away from the firm, but takes a self-confidence and willingness to stand and fight with him. He now knows that there is a time to fight and a time to let things be... what makes a man great is being able to discern between the two. This last view, at its core, is something I agree with very strongly. It is, however, something that is incredibly difficult to apply to real life.