Marching Powder review: Danny Dyer film is like a kick in the knackers

A star rating of 2 out of 5.

Danny Dyer is back where he belongs, in the arms of his old muckah, Nick Love.

In 2001, the director initially chose Dyer for Goodbye Charlie Bright, and later solidified his image as an actor in macho films such as the hooligan drama The Football Factory (2004), gang-related stories like The Business (2005) and Outlaw (2007). This helped establish his reputation.

18 years after their separation, these two individuals will come together once more in the film “Marching Powder“, a humorous tale that’s roughly equivalent to spending an evening chatting with President Donald Trump on contemporary issues.

The movie is driven by an intriguing title (which serves as a metaphor for cocaine), and it revolves around the character of Jack, a 45-year-old roughneck who takes great pleasure in casual violence, excessive drinking, and regularly snorting large amounts of white powder.

As a film enthusiast, I’m deeply immersed in the life of a character, let’s call him Jack. He’s happily married to Dani (Stephanie Leonidas), and together they have a lively young son. Jack’s luck is such that his father-in-law, Geoff Bell, heads a prosperous scaffolding firm. Over the years, the family has been remarkably understanding of Jack’s self-centered tendencies. The reason for their tolerance remains somewhat unclear, but it’s a testament to their grace and patience.

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The situation shifts significantly once Jack is apprehended, and surprisingly, the judge grants him six weeks to make amends in his life. He’s instructed to find employment and mend his marriage by participating in couples’ counseling.

Apart from Dani, her father expects him to care for their troubled brother, Kenny Boy (Calum MacNab), who struggles with bipolar disorder. Instead of this, Jack desires to be with his friends, confronting groups of rowdy fans in places such as Tranmere or Yeovil – towns where many residents seem to either be addicted to drugs or use mobility scooters.

Is he still significant or important? It’s unfortunate that an older individual seems to derive pleasure from drug use and violence. However, it appears that he continues to do so.

Jack has come to realize that his prime is behind him. He mumbles this to himself just moments before he faints inside a portable toilet, apparently due to excessive use of cocaine. Yet, one might wonder if someone in such a state could ever change.

It’s not clear that Jack has the determination to change his life, as love doesn’t provide solid proof of this. Similarly, it remains unclear why Dani, who is working towards her dream of attending art college, would choose to stay with him.

Love has a knack for coming up with humorous expressions, and some of them are quite witty (“As welcomed as Andrew Tate at the Ipswich lesbians’ yearly vegan gathering”; “As appealing as spending time on Gary Glitter’s lap”), but it’s important to have an open-minded perspective.

The movie occasionally introduces fresh ideas, including the initial prologue – a lively animation introducing us to Jack, the pleasure-seeking character, and his friends.

However, unfortunately, love is frequently expressed through the use of strong language, which can become repetitive and less impactful over time.

Interestingly, this movie is brought to you by Rockstar Games, a prominent video game developer known for hits like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, where Jack’s character is seen playing the latter.

Without a doubt, the excessive violence and drug use align with Rockstar’s typical style, and let’s not forget the humor – a prime example being when Jack secures a job at a Shoreditch coffee shop, serving hipsters croissants filled with chocolate, which echoes the satirical tone characteristic of the Grand Theft Auto series.

As a film critic, I found myself drawn to Dyer’s charming persona throughout the movie. His climactic speech towards the end, reminiscent of Renton’s iconic “choose life” soliloquy from Trainspotting, was particularly noteworthy. While the other characters may have been simplified or stereotyped to some extent, Love seems intent on exploring and challenging his earlier admiration for the rough, Football Factory-esque individuals he once idolized. The film raises an intriguing question about the sustainability of this perpetual cycle of hostility.

Without a shadow of a doubt, I’m convinced that this movie is bound to be a massive success for audiences who enjoy a dash of raw, post-adolescent violence and a bit of humor that leans against the grain. For others, it might feel like an unwelcome punch to the gut.

2025-03-06 12:47

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