A character in Lexi Alexander's Green Street Hooligans makes a passing remark about midway through this brutal, gritty drama as to how aware Americans are of English football fans: "You only hear about us in the riots, right?" The world of rabid football (don't dare call it soccer) fans serves as the compelling tableau for this subtly powerful drama – Elijah Wood demonstrates range and a ferocity in one of his first post-Lord of the Rings roles as wronged former Harvard student Matt Buckner, a Yank abroad in London, who finds himself sucked into the bloody, contentious world of football firms (gangs).

Green Street Hooligans (originally titled Hooligans in the UK and elsewhere) feels like a fusion of Fight Club, Any Given Sunday and a more adult version of The Outsiders – Matt's sister Shannon (Claire Forlani) is ostensibly who he's visiting in merry 'ol England, he soon falls in with the "GSE" (Green Street Elite), whose unwavering loyalty to the West Ham United football squad often results in violent street battles, scrapes with the law and restless days.

The leader of the GSE, Pete Dunham (Charlie Hunnam), takes Matt under his wing, showing him the ways of the street and incurring the wrath of his skittish mates, who distrust the American's presence. Over the course of a few matches, Matt discovers a primal side of himself he never knew existed and Pete finds himself making increasingly difficult and violent choices as his firm's leader.

Alexander, who co-wrote the screenplay with Dougie Brimson and Joshua Sheldy, builds tension effectively through the film's first two-thirds but the narrative devolves into standard revenge/forgiveness fare during its finale – it doesn't ruin the film but robs it of some its elemental power, primarily found in the kinetic, jagged fight sequences that fairly leap off the screen. A brutal, intense look inside a world that most Americans are probably less than familiar with, Green Street Hooligans is a fascinating film from o'er the pond.

The Video:

Green Street Hooligans looks rock solid and razor sharp in this 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer – its nearly monochromatic palette is punctuated by flame, blood and fog, all of which looks fantastic, with no noticeable defects. A superb visual representation.

As befits an action-driven film, Green Street Hooligans sounds as good as it looks with its Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack – blows have real presence, the appropriately chosen rock songs have weight while the football matches immerse you in the action, with active, vibrant surround activity. Optional English subtitles are also included.

Unfortunately, there's not much in the way of supplemental material: "Making of Hooligans," a brief (six minute, 10 seconds) featurette and a three minute, 44 second music video for Terence Jay's "One Blood."

Green Street Hooligans is a brutal, compelling look at football hooligans and their violent way of life – director/co-writer Lexi Alexander utilizes a great cast and pungent locations to create a film worth seeking out, particularly those who enjoy more than a little blood spilled. Recommended.