Bouncer (2002)

A characterful Ray Winstone takes the lead in this obviously well-informed short drama about the perils of being a night club bouncer. Tonight, their nemesis ends up being epitomised by the tanked-up Paddy Considine, a decent looking lad who gets caught up in a drink-fuelled brawl that sees him chucked out. As the narration warns us though, out of sight doesn’t mean gone forever and shortly afterwards we see the real dangers faced by these men who are charged with keeping themselves and the clientele safe. If this were shown as a training film, I doubt anyone would choose this career, and Winstone and Ronnie Fox work well together to give us an earthy and honest-looking appraisal that makes me glad I’m no clubber.