Marching Powder

Marching Powder: A laugh a minute serious comedy, the serious elements are rather dark. Jack (Danny Dyer) is 45, a cokehead, heavy drinker, still into getting into fights with rival football firms. His mates really lead him astray, so he claims. He is arrested, up before the beak who gives him 6 weeks to clean his act up or it's prison time. Jack still loves his wife Dani and his son but it's hard to stay straight. Especially when his father in law wants him to look after his crazed brother in law who has a habit of attacking and robbing drug dealers. Dani also wants more from life and goes back to Art College. An extremely violent, foulmouthed film, a romcom, a dark comedy, just a comedy anyway at times. The backstory really demands for Jack and Dani to be 35 for it to make sense but even the great Danny Dyer can't pass for 35 without CGI. Still, it's worth watching. Written and Directed by Nick Love. 6.5/10.

Marching Powder starts off strong with a captivating animated opening that effectively sets up its backstory with vibrant visuals and a hint of humor, providing a foundation for the rest of the film.

However, the tone shifts abruptly with a rapid-cut, handheld fight scene that becomes uncomfortable to watch, especially on the big screen. The frantic pacing and shaky camera work is disorientating, pulling you out of the otherwise immersive experience.

Despite what the trailer might suggest, there's much more to this film than meets the eye, and a large part of its emotional depth comes from the character of Dani, the wife. Her story and emotional journey add a layer of nuance to the narrative, making the film more than just a spectacle. Her strength and resilience give the movie a heart that might otherwise be lost amidst the chaotic scenes.

In summary, Marching Powder is an unexpected gem with a unique opening, jarring but necessary fight sequences, and a powerful emotional core thanks to Dani's character. Don't let the trailer fool you-there's a compelling story here beneath the surface.

I'm sort of glad that "Marching Powder" has been released just so I don't have to see the trailer anymore. For a British film, this has to be one of the more heavily advertised films I've ever seen - so much so that I almost didn't feel the need to actually see it, I'm so familiar with it's comedy beats.

Jack (Danny Dyer) has enjoyed a life of drugs, lager, porn and football violence for most of his life. Arrested following a fight in Grimsby, he avoids jail on the understanding that he'll start to turn his life around. Truth be told, Jack is starting to consider that perhaps he's getting too old for this life anyway. He's relationship with wife Dani (Stephanie Leonidas) is struggling due to emotional absence and his lack of libido. His father-in-law (Geoff Bell) hates him, and his son (Arty Dyer) is starting to show worrying signs of following in his father's footsteps. But will his friends, and his own anger issues, allow him to change?

The familiarity of the film perhaps extends beyond the oft repeated trailer. Both Dyer and Nick Love have been making films and TV in this South London; casuals; drugs and violence genre for years, with neither perhaps finding the respect they are due for continuing to work, if nothing else. "Marching Powder" is a little different because, despite how the adverts have mocked romantic comedies, that's what the film really is. It hinges not on whether he will avoid prison, but can he save his marriage. There are sub-plots though, some of which contain some genuinely disturbing moments that work alongside the comedy.

Dyer is quite good in this. Admittedly he's playing an aging out 'wide boy', whilst at the same time aging out of playing 'wide boys'. But it's a gutsy performance that exposes himself quite a bit.

Ultimately, like a lot of Love's films I've felt, it doesn't really add up to all that much. It hinges on a moment of violence that should, perhaps, be the final push that Jack needs but, ultimately, we do leave him pretty much as we found him. There are a few laughs along the way though.

Marching Powder is a lot of fun as it nobly tries to be a romantic comedy with a darker edge due to its subject matter. There's no mistaking what you're going to get here and the opening sequence (both animated and live action) ensures you know exactly what the next 90 minutes are going to be like. It covers quite a bit within that shorter run time and always remains engaging even if it's undoubtedly frustrating to watch the cycle repeating itself so many times.

Danny Dyer's character doesn't make a strong case for any potential redemption or forgiveness so his natural charms are working overtime to keep him likeable which is the sole reason he remains a watchable presence. Every time he breaks the fourth wall it works and his self deprecating nature is also a big help. Stephanie Leonidas is the sole heart of the film as she gives Dyer too many second chances without being naive about the chances of success.

Nick Love's direction manages to maintain the playful nature throughout, starting strong with an animated fairytale opening and then finding various ways to include equally fantastical flourishes. It's a hard tone to balance, moving back and forth between brutal gang violence and more lighthearted relationship shenanigans but it does a pretty good job of handling the tonal shifts. Simon Stolland's cinematography definitely helps by employing chaotic camerawork for the fights.

'Marching Powder' is exactly what one would expect from a Danny Dyer (and Nick Love) movie. I'm a little split on how I feel about it though. Most of the comedy is quite lazy and forced, though a couple of jokes did get a chuckle out of me; e.g. Dagenham.

The fourth wall breaking is questionable, it kinda works for a few moments but is mostly ill-fitting and cringey. On the other hand, there is surprisingly one touching scene; it involves Kenny Boy on the blower, I genuinely felt it in the feels - very unexpected for a movie of this sort.

As for the cast, Dyer is mostly good in the lead role; far from perfect, but he gives largely what you'd anticipate. Stephanie Leonidas does well, while Calum MacNab is initially iffy as the aforementioned Kenny but ends up being one of the better aspects of this 2025 release.

All things considered, I think I do have to file this one under 'average' - rather than 'good'. It's somewhat of a close call granted, but I do believe that the cons outweigh the pros. The deciding factor is the plot, which basically finishes as it starts; barely any progress is made.