Set in the sleepy town of Matlock (that's up North for you Southerners,) Dead Man's Shoes focus on Richard - a recently returned Army Mercenary. But all is not well with his arrival, as he soon discovers that his mentally ill brother Anthony has been abused, manipulated and tortured by a drug heavy gang whilst he was away. Richard, already dissaffected from the war is not one for being forgiveful ("God will forgive them and let them into heaven. I can't let that happen," and soon exacts his revenge on every single member who hurt his younger brother. Using guerrilla tactics, scare factors and picking off the gang members one by one, Richard sees himself as an Angel of Vengeance and protector to his little brother who also teaches Richard that there are perhaps skeletons in his closet too.
As mentioned before, the acting in Dead Man's Shoes is breath-taking. Considine is pure genius as the tortured and torturer Richard as he battles demons from the real gang members to the ones inside his head. He brings effortlessly a sense of humanity but anger to the character and does it all so realistically that is inspiring to watch. Not only does Considine do a fantastic job but Toby Kebbell does a sensitive portrayal of the mental handicapped Anthony. The two work brilliantly as the near child Anthony and the anguished Richard as they bounce off each other in their relationship throughout the journey of anguish. The other actors such as Sonny and Herbie (gang members) do well as the antagonists too.
And the directing is great, choosing to flip between the past with snippets of Anthony's abuse to the present but it is done in a unique way. For example, you don't get the whole of the abuse but as each gang member remembers exactly what they have done you get their own guilt and regret. It plays out well and is much a testament to Shane Meadows directing skills as well. Meadows also writes a wonderful story. Although the vengence film has been done before, Meadows adds to it and creates so many twists and turns that culminates to the sad and shocking finale of the film. The lines and the story brings about so many emotions without chucking them at you in forced stereotypes but instead delicately making the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.
Of course, Dead Man's Shoes isn't everyone's cup of tea (if you've seen it, you'll get that.) It is heavily violent and some scenes are really disturbing that at times you cant stomach and although it is needed, it is still upsetting to see. And there are significant moments in the film that seem to be brushed over especially a truly important moment within the film. The same can be said for certain characters, although acted terrifically by Gary Stretch, Sonny is barely the monster they make him out to be and isn't menacing (although completely sick at times.) There is a lot dangling in the air in Dead Man Shoe's that could be plucked, explored and made deeper.
Despite its violence, Dead Man's Shoes is heartbreaking. It is a tale about brotherly love and the lengths we will go to if a family member is hurt in the way Anthony was. Richard is the part of us we don't like to admit is there but we know exists. He stands for the love and anguish we feel when one of our own is threatened. Dead Man's Shoes is our darkest fantasies in times of troubles but end so sorrow-filled that in the end you'll be judging yourself and the things you do to your fellow human being. It is a genius script and incredible look into the human psyche. Terrifyingly beautiful, it is the best of British cinema.
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