I.D. Review

Overall Rating

A compelling introspective view of football hooligan psychology, as seen through the eyes of an undercover detective.

Some stilted dialogue, but the use of a fictional team held back it's feel of gritty realism.

Films using football violence as it's subject matter are often accused of cashing-in on the sensationalism which surrounds the culture. Some critics even claim it glorifies violence. Maybe some do, but I.D is about the primal psychology of 'belonging'. It takes an introspective view of somebody finding themselves in an environment where reality and fiction meet, and the line between the two no longer exists.
Despite some stilted dialouge, there was excellent performances throughout, none more so than Warren Clarke (A Clockwork Orange, Dalziel & Pascoe) whose take on a violent pub land-lord was delightfully unsettling.
All in all, a good effort of looking beyond the surface of football violence to expose various and interesting psychological motivations.