“Go on, joke about the suspenders.”
Hando (Russell Crowe) leads a group of skinheads that terrorise the suburban streets of Melbourne. The group wander aimlessly, dealing out random beatings based upon the fractured principles and misguided belief that says people of non-white races are somehow of lesser worth and don’t belong in Australia.
It’s a reprehensible lifestyle that attracts the weak and vulnerable, desperate to belong to anything or willing to believe any nonsense handed to them by someone in a posting of influence.
Hando is that person, and Russell Crowe imbues him with far more nuance than you would expect from a mere ‘skinhead’. When others question the purity of their beliefs or the worth of their heinous actions, Hando is there with motivating words – even if they emanate from a despicable place – and when all else fails he has a steely eyed glare that seems to bring the racist thoughts bubbling back to the surface of the most pacifistic gang member. Besides, the parties go on all night and the music – loathsome lyrics aside – is kinda catchy.
But Hando is not there for the parties, nor is he a follower. So true to the cause is he, that he thinks pasta is the product of ‘foreign scum’ and not worthy of giving him sustenance. His best friend and loyal lieutenant Davey (Daniel Pollock) has his doubts at his buddy and leader’s most passionate choices, but his friendship and fears of confronting Hando about his extremism render him silent. Besides he’s never had reason to question the cause, and the odd bashing can’t be that bad can it?
Enter Gabe (Jacqueline McKenzie), a deeply troubled street kid with an extremely unfortunate past. She latches on to Hando instantly, wowed by his power and confidence.
For his part Hando seems happy to have someone new to wax racial about his intense hatred. At least initially.
But as time goes on and the group’s actions escalate to lengths where there can be no returning from, she wonders if she might have signed on to the wrong time share, and Davey worries about her more than Hando, the rest of the guys, or even himself.
The central scene in the film is a harrowing sequence that begins when Hando and the boys confront some Vietnamese youths who have had the temerity to appear in their local bar.
The inevitable fight gets out of hand quickly, and when dozens of Vietnamese appear swiftly to outnumber the skinheads by a significant margin, Hando and those lucky enough to still be upright have no option but to flee – a decision that leaves Hando appalled. He’d rather die in battle.
It is a long, violent and intense 15 odd minutes that will have you simultaneously rooting for the Vietnamese to dole out some bloody justice, but also hoping that these scumbags (with Gabe in tow) that we somehow have come to feel sorry for, escape (mostly) unharmed.
After this scene it is obvious that Romper Stomper could never end on a happy or redemptive note, not that it was especially heartwarming to this point by the way. The film is extremely effective, spotlighting the fact that people who choose to join gangs or veer down antisocial paths aren’t always mere thugs or scumbags, even if that is what they become through the acts these choices demand. Hando is a polarising figure full of hatred and charisma, even though I would never agree with his beliefs you can see how the weak willed and impressionable could fall under his spell. Every teen wants to rebel against the staid conventions of society, skinheads just take it several steps further.
This film is not a skinhead recruiting video, nor does it opt to condemn the characters in the film. For that it deserves credit. It deserves far more credit for the performances, directing and storyline. Romper Stomper is an excellent film, all too often ignored when talk turns to quality Australian films due to the controversial content and violence. It is an uncompromising and disturbing snapshot of a vile and unfortunate lifestyle that takes place over a couple of hectic, violent days, headlined by a towering performance by Russell Crowe, and assisted by great turns from Jacqueline McKenzie and Daniel Pollock.
Final Rating – 8 / 10. There was once a time when guys with tattoos were dangerous. Hando has some impressive tatts, he is an especially dangerous man.
