Dead Man's Shoes

A few years before the release of This Is England, director Shane Meadows made a film that I consider to be one of the most haunting and confronting films ever made. Dead Man's Shoes is the story of Richard and his brother Anthony. Richard is a disaffected soldier that has returned home in order to for fill a promise and punish the local thugs that bully his brother.
The film is very confronting but remains dignified and beautiful through its simplicity. Meadows manages to combine a shocking yet riveting storyline with a well cast group of actors. Paddy Considine is truly sublime as Richard and pulls off a performance that is up there with DeNiro's portrayal of Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver. The Midlands backdrop adds a real feeling of isolation that echoes from the characters souls into their surroundings.
If you enjoyed This Is England, Dead Man's Shoes is a must see.