User reviews

I don't normally write reviews but as there seem to be so many people here dissing this with hardly any justified cause I had too. First the acting is brilliant. If you don't know who Lenny was these twitching mannerisms and psychotic gases are him to a T. I met the fella and the acting here might seem over the top but that is what he was like. Over the top. The rest of the cast is great too. The direction is spot on as well. Real menace to the piece. This is the British version of Chopper princess n my opinion. Like it or loath it. The real problem is the story just isn't very good. Nothing here about Lenny debut Collecting, running the doors in clubs in London, his criminal associations or any number of other much more interesting takes. No, this film is about three fights he had with Roy Shaw and how he treated a few people. I've no doubt the man (is specially in his younger days) was a psychopathic asshole. There's the usual explanation of an abusive adult, but really? No I don't think this explains or drive L Mc. So n conclusion a fine piece of work from all involved. Now go back and tell an interesting story about the enigma that was there s man. And to those dissing the acting and characterisation in the movie you really don't have a clue.

Another boxing film based on a real person. Not exactly the sports film with actions you want to see. Because it is about the underground boxing theme with less traditional. So it is not like a real heroism story. Lanny, an orphan grew up with his abusive step-dad, developed a tough character. Being aggressive made him a champion at the barehanded street fights. With poverty ridden, now he's trying his luck on the underground boxing, which drastically brings a big change in his life.

Usually biographical film fascinates. Because their achievements are hard earned. So their rise in life inspires thousands of people who watch the film. This was not the same kind. But it had some good side too. The story was okay, though the performances totally annoyed me. That's the main reason I consider it an average. It might be the right depiction of the character Lenny, but cinematically not right. Maybe different cast would have brought different, appropriate result. Only being a biopic is the reason it's worth a watch, but nothing else worked for it.

6/10

I agree people that had no idea who Lenny was will hate this, I'm a Londoner and this was a good bit of fun about a very small part of who Lenny was.

Watch it enjoy it they did a good job it's funny and sad but not at the same time.

Want more read the book.

Do not waste your life watching this film, what a load of bollocks. Even worse than the other film 'The Guvnor' If you want the story of his life, read the book, and use your imagination. Don't get sucked into a shit film because you will never get the time back!!!

Very familiar w the lenny mclean story and this film was a decent screen version of his brutal life. I loved watching the recreation of Lenny's infamous 3 fights w roy pretty boy shaw! Fans of This is England will enjoy a very familiar face as Lenny's wife. I did however have to agree w other reviews about the facial twitches/expressions of lenny, that was overdone! That being said you will enjoy this if you are into british gangster/street level stuff.

A very thin slice of Lenny McLean's life washed clean to within an inch of none existence.

The real Lenny Mclean was a criminal, thug, enforcer, street fighter and unlicensed boxer, who was far from invincible and who also ducked out of many challenges from more skilled opponents.

Later in life McLean ended up as an actor too, before being struck down at just 49.

An interesting life that is pretty much ignored in this film.

Instead we are presented 'lovable rogue' stereotype keeping his neighbours safe, a cartoon character, and his three fights with Roy Shaw.

And if that wasn't enough, McLean's facial ticks are exaggerated to a crazy level, rendering him a gurning fool.

Not good. Avoid.

I could not get through this film.

The guy who plays Lenny is continuously twitching his face in a very annoying manner that is so obviously fake that it pulls away your attention from the film continuously.

The whole underlip stretching is beyond absurd and annoying as hell.

Do not watch this, it's absolutely ridiculous.

Don't understand all the negative reviews. Mclean was a loon who'd been severely abused as a youngster and had taken and administered many savage beatings. Hence the grimaces and grins and over the top behavior.

You didn't know him, so how would you know whether this was overplayed or not?

I thought the movie was funny, entertaining, mildly disturbing an incomplete story--a segment of his life.

The dialogue is often what people outside of East London imagine it should be but is far from authentic. The humour that is often implicit in the language is missing. As for the main character, to see critics describe him as a hero is laughable. He may well have been know in unlicensed fighting, and in some of the cubs, but the average East Londoner in the 70's and 80's would not have known who he was. The actor playing McLean at least gets across the manic nature of McLean but his facial expressions are a bit OTT. In fact most of the acting is a bit naff with the exception of some of the more established thespians, who do their best with a script that is jerky and direction and post production that is not the best. There is a story to be told here but it needs better actors, a better crispy and much better direction.

I gave this film 1 star because I couldn't leave a zero star rating!!

What a load of old pony, making a hero out of this bully is an insult to the memory and family of Gary Humphries!!

If you're bored, or have a penchant for low budget and even lower quality 'English Gangster Flicks', such as all those crappy 'Essex Boy Drug Dealer' films, you'll probably like this load of old tosh too.

Can I have that 90 minutes back please?

Bad directing and annoying performance from the lead role, the life story of lenny mclean could be made into a great film, this film does not do it justice, the lead actor comes across as if he has tourettes, it only focuses on a small part of lennys life was disappointed in the film, hope a good film about lennys life gets made

This was a really entertaining movie with good acting all round, If i have any gripes it's because it could have been a terrific film if it had dug a bit deeper as in Lenny's enforcing days and some of the gangsters he mixed with, I thought the weird scene with him singing wild thing could have been put to better use but British directors like to do this kind of thing for some unknown reason and it kind of spoils things a bit.That said it's well worth watching and even Michael Bisping was good.

I was really excited about this film but unfortunately I couldn't even make it through. The shear blatant mis-cast for the lead role is just too much to bear. He's obviously done his homework but unfortunately Josh Helman comes across as an awkward and cringey caricature of Lenny. And did people really say boy that much?

In addition, the camera-work for the fights was absolutely awful, just a complete jumbled mess. Not sure if this was done on purpose to represent the atmosphere of the crazy east end unlicensed boxing nights, who knows.

They had a world class martial artist in Bisping playing Shaw, I'm sure they could have used him more and imitated the fights properly.

This film could have been great, but the casting let it down before it started. Better luck next time.

Could not resist posting my first Review on IMDb

Just now i have seen this movie and i immediately checked the YouTube videos of Lenny's Personality and Fights, his real fights, body built, voice etc.. are noway compared to this movie.

I hope in future another director might pay little attention for a real time movie experience for the audience...

Like everyone else, I just couldn't get past the absurd facial expressions. To the point that I had to c9me on here and see if anyone else hadn't mentioned it! I literally lasted 60 seconds. Why the director felt such stupid gurning was fitting and appropriate is beyond me. Stupid film, stupid facial expressions and a waste of time. Don't bother

Excellent film, well acted. It has a real authentic 70's feel to it. I read Lennys book some years ago and that also deserves a film. Would have been nice to see some original fight footage with Roy Shaw mingled in, it's definitely available, I have all three on DVD. I think the Gov'nor would have approved.

I've read the books on McLean and was glad hear he would finally get one of his wishes, but I don't think the film does him justice at all. Lenny was a mountain of a man.. the guy who plays him looks about 10 stone! A real shame, awful acting .. director should be ashamed of this.

The lead actor was trying too hard to imitate the sensationalist role of Charles Bronson played by Tom Hardy. If you observe and compare with footage of Lenny McLean this title portrays him as stupid and neurotic- which he wasnt. Inaccurate and lack of depth or structure, director and producers have not done this story justice. This will go down in the pile of unmemorable British gangster dramas, which is a shame as the documentary "the Guv'nor" is far superior which gives potential for a great feature length film.

I wanted to like this but had to turn it off. The portrayal of Lenny made him look retarded, I can't believe his family were happy with it. Also the awful gurning and noises he kept making made him look like a clown. Poor.

Ron Scalpello has directed a great film with real flair on a shoe-string budget which leaves the viewer bloodied and battered... in a good way. I've always been fascinated by what makes a man so violent, well this film explains that very well. Strong performances from the main leads. John Hurt was amazing.

It is supposed to be a film about Lenny McLean and his struggles in his life. But Josh Helman just ruin the character by terrible acting and awful impersonation.

Also the story was not well written, it didn't had any depth at all. The characters were weakly displayed, none of the characters had proper build up to give them a strong base.

It will be terrible mistake on your part if you go and watch the film because regardless of who you are it doesn't worth your time.

Not Recommended.

And I wish I'd left it longer.

An appalling film. There are some good shots, and some grand locations, but the acting - if one could call it that really lets it down. Particularly the lead. Not so much one dimensional as non-dimensional. This makes Eastenders look both believable and high art in comparison. Give it a miss.

Outstanding film... beautifully brought to the screen. I thought josh Moulded in to Lenny to unbelievably, as for the rest of the cast, I thought that they all deserve huge credit for this film. Lennys stepfather Martin Askew played an amazing powerful role. Loved the humour and the on screen love between Lenny and his cousin Jon Jon. Watched this film 4 times since release. The behind the scenes extra on the DVD is amazing !!!