Small Town Hero (2017) User Reviews

Not that bad

[weirdie54 · 5/10 · 2 February 2020]

Nevermind the 10/10 reviews, obviously this is not a masterpiece, but still an enjoyable vigilante movie that gives some food for thought. A lot of us could relate to the protagonist frustrated by a variety of society's problems and determined to make his neighborhood a better and safer place, but after a while - when he, still driven by good intentions - becomes more and more a witch-hunting paranoid fascist, the same old questions arise, like where is the edge between being a responisble citizen and using the good cause to justify violence. The acting is not exaclty Oscar-worthy, but come on, it wasn't that terrible either. If you're into vigilante exploitation movies, give this one a try.

Budget movie by an practically unknown writer/director.

[RvBreukie · 3/10 · 10 November 2019]

I suspect few people have seen it, if they did they didn't bother writing any (positive) reviews. Anything under an eight could've been understandable if they like these level/kind of movies. But 10's and 9's, that's just beyond reality.

As for my review: The acting was ok, the camera work was decent enough. However the plot and characters just felt shallow, they were just to 2D, if they were fleshed out a bit more maybe viewers could relate or at least be invested in them. It's the kind of movie you might watch if there's nothing else on TV, but then again, you might want to just turn it off and read a book or something.

Amateurish

[acowdontmakeham · 2/10 · 10 November 2019]

If you are used to watching proper movies you might not want to bother with this.

More FAKE reviews...

[ToBeloved · 12 November 2019]

It's pathetic how all these reviews giving it 9's and 10's are from accounts that have literally never reviewed or rated any other film. What's that tell you?? Low budget garbage. Period.

IMO

[scotsmist-60486 · 1/10 · 10 November 2019]

This move was crap. I also signed in just to post this review lol.

Boring Boring Boring

[harryokin · 2/10 · 11 November 2019]

I didn't make it to the end as it's a very boring and repetitive film. There is still room for a mockumentary as This Country has proved, but you need far better writing and acting than this.

Don't Believe the Haters. Excellent Film

[brturlish · 8/10 · 26 November 2019]

This is a good, gritty small budget British film. Excellent acting from all concerned. Lead actor Simon Cassidy is a name to watch. Highly recommended.

Original film with a unique lead performance

[the_holmes · 9/10 · 17 September 2019]

Really enjoyed this. There's a strong and unique performance from Simon Cassidy in the lead role as he walks a tightrope between rogue hero and aggressive vigilante. Much like the film itself, which has light comedic touches alongside tenser moments that lead to a dramatic finale.

Gripping, darkly comedic British indie

[jay-80917 · 10/10 · 22 July 2016]

Vigilante tells the story of Pep (Simon Cassidy), an idealistic yet loud-mouthed bloke who wants to clean up his town, primarily using his fists. After sorting out a group of young vandals, Pep becomes something of a local hero and is invited to join the Neighbourhood Watch, wherein he is able to become a more proactive figure in terms of keeping the peace. However, once he evolves from protector to pest, Pep uses rumours of a suspected paedophile in town to attempt to reclaim his title of hero by undertaking a one-man manhunt. Shot in the style of a documentary focused on Pep, Vigilante lives or dies on the lead performance and fortunately Cassidy, who is on screen for almost every second of the film, delivers a phenomenal performance. He fully sinks his teeth into Pep's bulldog tenacity, taking a character who could so easily be seen as a monster and imbuing him with a more humane side that makes some of the latter narrative turns all the more gut-wrenching. Think Sean Bean via Jackie Earle Haley; a working class quality but with a compact, barely contained ferocity simmering underneath. There are a couple of standout scenes involving Pep's particular brand of justice that deliver unexpected degrees of tension and shock, with a gripping climax shot in an economical yet entirely effective manner that can't be looked away from. The humour may be a little dark for some, particularly around the paedophilia aspects and Pep's means of attempted capture of the paedophile (they weren't too dark for me, but I can see others potentially being turned off) but all in all this is a taut and affecting indie drama. It doesn't over-use the documentary format which never feels overly staged or implausible, and the supporting performances are also terrific, particularly Millie Reeves as Pep's pregnant ex-wife and Johnny Vivash as a potential suspect, but this is Cassidy's chance to shine. If he doesn't go on to more high profile work after this then there's no justice in the world.

Outstanding Movie

[HiThere-14622 · 10/10 · 10 November 2019]

Unbelievable movie deserved of attention from film buffs who really appreciate a good film. Great story, very well acted and shot. :)

Really enjoyed it

[jamesmichaelkelly · 10/10 · 9 November 2019]

The performance from the central character is great

Plenty of action throughout and was easy to watch. Really enjoyed the subtle humour, had me in stitches right from the opening scene. Could imagine it being a TV series

tense, funny and scarily relevant!

[lyndseyjackson · 9/10 · 27 September 2019]

The performances and plotting of this film straddle the line of reality and fiction so well that, at times, you could forget you're watching a fiction and be genuinely alarmed or scared for the characters! The stand out performance of the lead is not to downplay a solid supporting cast in a tight, well directed and cleverly edited mock-doc that builds tension in an inevitable but still dramatically satisfying way.

and it's funny, and sharp witted - which helps when it gets violent! would recommend!

Outstanding!

[sloopie-75140 · 10/10 · 9 October 2019]

Dark and unnervingly plausible. A really good piece of British cinema.

Eye opening British movie

[stallardhard · 10/10 · 9 October 2019]

What can I say from start to finish , an amazing film. A well acted and brilliant executed story. Hats off to all involved in this movie. Has some brilliant comic moments. It was also shot using local people as actors and extras in the county of Lincolnshire. The lead Pep played by Simon Cassidy is spellbinding and should be in more things as he is a very talented actor. The director is also worthy of all the praise for this project . Small Town Hero gets my vote every time.

Real

[harrytbg · 9/10 · 22 April 2023]

This depicts gritty British film perfectly. People giving any less than 5 star don't see the value in reality that the films shows or they have never met someone like Pep ( Central Actor ). Acting was fantastic for a low budget film. 100 percent worth a watch. The action and comedy keeps you watching throughout. The film also paces itself well from giving you a real idea of the character you are watching and transitions into someone getting caught up in his own beliefs. The viewer constantly feeling sympathetic but also concerned for the path he is leading. Never a dull moment in this film and would love to see more written in this style.

Great Saturday night watch.

[damian_sandiford · 9/10 · 13 September 2019]

A great film would thoroughly recommend watching.

A very easy watching film plenty of action and had me in stitches watching, believe me that doesn't happen often!

A bit of everything!

[emily-58051 · 10/10 · 14 September 2019]

The best thing for me is that this film is unusual (in a good way). It's a real film fans film. It's funny, thought provoking, emotional and violent. An unusual but brilliant mix. Don't hesitate to watch it.

Thoroughly recommend

[ajelvidge · 9/10 · 25 September 2019]

Thought provoking and entertaining. The main character is very believable as are the circumstances he finds himself in. Dark, tense but with laugh out loud moments. Would definitely recommend.

Dark and Gripping piece of British film!

[Gazwinner · 10/10 · 10 November 2019]

Thought provoking, captivating and entertaining. Film contained everything you could ask from a well-produced film. Gripping lead (Pep), evoked tears, laughter and frustration throughout the entirety of the film. Incredible character development and acting applicable to all in the film. Well worth a watch, great piece of British film!

Fantastic Film

[KirktheMovieBuff · 10/10 · 10 November 2019]

Film follows the story of a great lead (Pep, Simon Cassidy) who creates a thought provoking dialogue. Very dark and thrilling, one to keep an eye on because deserved of recognition.