Clubbed (2007)

27% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(2,017 ratings)

Reportedly adapted from the harrowing real-life experiences of Geoff Thompson (a doorman in Coventry, England), Neil Thompson's Clubbed pulls the audience into the deranged and increasingly violent realm of the club scene in 1980s Britain. The tale begins in the present day, with factory worker… More Reportedly adapted from the harrowing real-life experiences of Geoff Thompson (a doorman in Coventry, England), Neil Thompson's Clubbed pulls the audience into the deranged and increasingly violent realm of the club scene in 1980s Britain. The tale begins in the present day, with factory worker Danny (Mel Raido), experiencing prolonged marital estrangement from his wife, Angela (Maxine Peake). The narrative then flashes back to the '80s, when Danny makes the ill-advised decision to tote his young daughters to a brutal working-men's club -- and gets promptly jumped and beaten by henchmen of the crime boss Lord Billy Hennessy (Ronnie Fox). Reeling from the humiliation and suffering of this experience, Danny first attempts suicide, then does an about-face and opts to fight back by training as a boxer and taking a job as a bouncer at a local nightclub. Lo and behold, as it turns out, two of the men with whom Danny trained, Sparky (Scot Williams) and Rob (Shaun Parkes), not only have direct ties to Hennessy but opposing ties -- one is letting Billy's drug dealers in, the other attempting to keep them out. As Hennessy watches the curtain unveiled before his eyes on the men's doings, it sets off a chain of nasty and ugly retributions that ultimately culminate with Danny wresting control of the situation and engaging in violent action against Hennessy's goons. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Neil Thompson
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Oct 2, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Jan 18, 2011
Studio: Formosa Films

Critic Reviews

Anna Smith, Empire Magazine
Overcomes its low budget suspenseful story, sympathetic leads and cracking '80s soundtrack.
David Jenkins, Time Out
It's a comically inept and unfocused piece of filmmaking, with 'This Is England'-lite period detail attained by what looks like a bring-your-own-costume policy.
Ali Catterall, Film4
It's surprisingly good: well written, nicely acted and beautifully scored.
Wendy Ide, Times [UK]
It's a dreadful piece of writing, compounded by an array of shockingly poor performances.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
A piece of violent geezer-porn.
Tim Evans, Sky Movies
Director Neil Thompson's literally hardhitting tale of a turning worm who transforms himself from meek factory drone to strutting nightclub doorman doesn't cast a light on anything.
Chris Hicks, Total Film
Though predictable, the attention to period detail makes this a Brit-flick rather like its hero - an intelligent little scrapper.
, Sun Online
It left The Sneak wishing the cinema doorman had said his name wasn't on the list and he wasn't coming in to see Clubbed.
Neil Smith, thelondonpaper
The swaggering acting and profanity-rich dialogue, alas, make Neil Thompson's film feel little more than an excuse for Guy Ritchie-esque posturing.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Below average British crime drama that's let down by a shockingly weak central performance, some poor direction, shoddy production design and a cop-out ending.
Victor Olliver, Teletext
Soon enough, Danny's up there with the skinhead, suggesting his own masculine ego is the priority, not his kids.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lesley N

Stylish gangsterish Brit film written by Geoff Thompson (based on his autobiography "WATCH MY BACK" ) about a single father who becomes a boxer and a bouncer to rebuild his self-esteem and protect his kids after he's picked on by local gang bullies. Nice supporting… More
Stylish gangsterish Brit film written by Geoff Thompson (based on his autobiography "WATCH MY BACK" ) about a single father who becomes a boxer and a bouncer to rebuild his self-esteem and protect his kids after he's picked on by local gang bullies. Nice supporting turns from Colin Salmon and Shaun Parkes as his fellow bouncers, plus a nostaligic 80's soundtrack, this is more lively than I expected, with as much violence as I expected.

Cast

            Mel Raido as Danny

            Shaun Parkes as Rob

            Scot Williams as Sparky

            Maxine Peake as Angela

            Ronnie Fox as Billy Hennessy

            Neil Morrissey as Simon

            Nick Holder as Mick

            Aicha McKenzie as Helen

            Colin Salmon as Louis

            Ellen Thomas as Mrs. Smith

            Simon Paul Sutton as Fidget

            Charles Dow Clark as Illisa

            Katherine McGolpin as Kay

            Ian Ralph as Barney 'Fatman'

            Dominic Coleman as Clinger

            Daniel Green as Five One

            Nikki Sanderson as Gee Gee

            James J. McLaren as Gym member

            Jack Pierce as Gobby

            Barrett Robertson as Lob

            Margaret Henshaw as Donna

            Ndu Gumede as Jo

            Jamie Kenne as Hack

            Ian Virgo as Leonard

            Orson Nava as Zab

            Michele Marsh as Skank's girlfriend

            Ciaran Griffiths as Reaper

            Hayley Evetts as Reaper's girlfriend

            Tom McKay as Tom

            Adrian Sharp as Lurch

            Bronson Webb as Scroat

            Elizabeth Lowe as Older Kay

            Naomi Millbank-Smith as Older Illisa

            Michelle Marsh (I)
            
See full cast