As powerful a film as ever. This one is a builder, so if you're not convinced by the beginning, the chances are you will be by the end.Perhaps the type of revenge film that append more to the British public than the U.S, as I remember reviews from there, cladding this as a slasher and it certainly isn't that.There are dark humour moments, but this really is about the past catching up.Both Paddy Considine and Toby Kebbel were excellent and the considine/meadows collaboration was a match we'll made.

When I read the synopsis, I expected a classic revenge story. Boy was I wrong. This is, indeed, a tale of revenge, but it deglamorizes it and shows that it's not satisfying, and that it does not produce a sense of completeness. Revenge is dark, bitter, and can make you become the very thing you brought your revenge upon. The acting and directing is superb, and there is a surreal feel sometimes that makes the story truly universal. This could take place anywhere in the world and still bring the same message. The revenge in this movie only exposes the true nature of its perpetrator, a nature he himself is not able to live with. It ended as it was supposed to end, and I have to say this is a nearly flawless movie. Unfortunately, I think it would be hard to watch it again. Nobody likes being punched twice in the stomach.

Dead Man's shoes is nothing short of remarkable. It stands with Paddy Considine's Tyrannosaur and his new film, Journeyman, as one of the best British films of all time and as one of my personal favorite films ever. The performances are stunning, Paddy Considine is terrifying, and the direction is perfect, as is the script. 10 out of 10.

A former army soldier Richard(Paddy Considine), returns to his hometown to settle the score with a small drug gang that abused his little brother Anthony(Toby Kebbell), while he was away. For those of you who read my "10 Best Revenge Films" you know that this film is my favorite revenge film. The plot is simple and nothing truly original but the performances by Considine (especially Considine) and Kebbell bring the film that emotional brotherly feel which I loved about the film. The film is very grounded down to Earth and is nothing over the top. You can actually believe that this could have happened. The film is very realistic which I love because sometimes it gets a little OVER the top sometimes. With its realistic feel the film feels dark and gritty and above all life like. You can't tell that these are characters in the film because the characters feel like real people you can actually meet in the world. The film was directed by the infamous English director Shane Meadows, who brought us "This is England"(2006). Meadows has a DIY feel to his movies. He never goes for the perfect lighting or frame or shot, and he demonstrates that almost throughout all of his films. The cinematography in his films looks dull, grainy, and dirty, and most of the shots are hand-held. With the movies he's making it works and it especially works with "Dead Man's Shoes". With a film like this and it's subject matter you don't want the cinematography to look Oscar worthy, because it will be very distracting. For example it's like having beautiful cinematography for a war movie; the two don't match, it may work but it won't feel right. With a film like this the cinematography works, just watch it and you'll understand. When watching the movie you know what's going to happen, and I mean you know WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. It's no surprise, but there's a part in the movie where you find out what actually happened to Richard's brother. And oh my GOD does that set in an emotional realization when you see it. It explains some small things while watching it from the beginning that you didn't realize. The film has an emotional feel throughout the entire run time. From the scenery to the characters this is a very sad movie. It may not present itself that way but you can see it throughout. The main character of Richard is seeking revenge and you can see that the things he is doing to these people is taking a toll on him as well. Revenge is not a good, happy, joyous thing. Revenge is a sad, depressing, and awful act. After the movie ended I was completely floored, this movie exceeded my expectations and blew me away. The film also made me think about what I would do if MY little brother was abused and assaulted and bullied while I was away some place. Would I go to the extremes of what Richard did? I don't know. This film has a 7.7 rating on IMDb, and a 57% on Rotten Tomatoes!? The consensus of the film on Rotten Tomatoes makes the film look bad when a 57% is a borderline positive rating. I really don't know where the critics went wrong with this film, it appalls me that it has a 57%. On the other hand the 7.7 is a great rating and one the movie truly deserves. Overall "Dead Man's Shoes" is a solid film with beautiful acting from ALL the actors in the film, and a gripping , emotional story that took me by surprise and tossed me all over. SEE IT, you will not he disappointed.