A tremendous British film boasting a strong cast, intelligent script, and a solid story. Tightly edited, the film bounces along mainly due to some superb characterisation. The plot basics are simple. A drifting loser finds boxing,a friendship and purpose, but all at a price.
Colin Salmon as Head Bouncer Louis dominates proceedings physically with an utterly convincing brooding presence, and a fine acting performance.Shaun Parkes shines as his sidekick Rob, and Mel Raido carries the lead role as Danny with a restrained, under stated performance."Coronation St" fans will spot Nikki Sanderson ( the erstwhile Candice)as Dance Teacher Gee Gee.
Whilst violent, and crude, the cerebral reflections of Danny, and some wry dialogue ,elevate this above the banal "geezer speak" of some of its genre contemporaries, noticeably the work of Guy Ritchie.Although the bloody "crucifiction scene" echoes one from the seminal "Long Good Friday", Director Neil Thompson succeeds in providing staple ingredients which deliver credibility rather than cliché, with the 95 minute running time just right. It is also far superior to the contemporaneous "Shifty" by Eran Creevy.
A hidden gem which will stand the test of time.
Colin Salmon as Head Bouncer Louis dominates proceedings physically with an utterly convincing brooding presence, and a fine acting performance.Shaun Parkes shines as his sidekick Rob, and Mel Raido carries the lead role as Danny with a restrained, under stated performance."Coronation St" fans will spot Nikki Sanderson ( the erstwhile Candice)as Dance Teacher Gee Gee.
Whilst violent, and crude, the cerebral reflections of Danny, and some wry dialogue ,elevate this above the banal "geezer speak" of some of its genre contemporaries, noticeably the work of Guy Ritchie.Although the bloody "crucifiction scene" echoes one from the seminal "Long Good Friday", Director Neil Thompson succeeds in providing staple ingredients which deliver credibility rather than cliché, with the 95 minute running time just right. It is also far superior to the contemporaneous "Shifty" by Eran Creevy.
A hidden gem which will stand the test of time.