Kidulthood was a good writing debut for the former star of Doctor Who, and Adulthood was a good directing debut for him, this third instalment concluded "Hood" trilogy, written and directed by Noel Clarke. Basically, ten years have passed, Sam Peel (Noel Clarke) has settled down with partner Kayla (Shanika Warren-Markland) and his two children, one from a previous relationship with Lexi, who died from a drug overdose. Sam is on better terms with his mother Agnes (Doctor Who's Adjoa Andoh) and his brother Royston (Daniel Anthony), and had made friends with Alisa (Red Madrell), who has a teenage daughter from her relationship with Trevor "Trife" Hector, whom Sam killed years ago. Sam is working four jobs and does his best to stay away from a life of crime. One night, Royston is playing in his band with Henry Okocha (Arnold Oceng), who like Sam and Royston, has also turned over a new leaf. Royston is shot by gunman Drew (Jack McMullen), who leaves an envelope addressed to Sam by his body. Royston survives the shooting and is visited by Sam in hospital. Sam opens the envelope; it contains an address with instructions. On the way home, Sam "accidentally" bumps into a woman (Skyfall's Tonia Sotiropoulou), who invites him to come to her flat to clean up, they have sex. Later, Sam is followed and attacked, then appears Melvin "Hugs" Levin (Leeshon Alexander) who pulls a knife, he threatens him and his family if he does not go to the given address. Sam arrives at the place, a lavish property in an upscale neighbourhood. There he meets successful criminal Daley (Jason Maza) who offers him a job, but Sam refuses. Daley then directs Sam to a basement room in the house where he meets up with Curtis Gayle (Cornell John), Trife's uncle. They have a long-standing feud, because Sam killed Trife and set up Curtis to serve 10 years in prison, and Curtis is now out for revenge. Sam realises his family is danger and asks Kayla to take her the kids to her mother's house. But Kayla has been sent a sex tape of Sam having sex with the mystery woman, he protests he was set up, but Kayla walks out. While Curtis and Hugs continually threaten Sam and his family, they also conspire to take over the operation by killing Daley. Later, Sam receives a strange call from his mother, he heads for her flat, but Mrs. Peel is already dead, having been pushed off the balcony by Hugs. After arranging and attending his mother's funeral, Kayla makes it clear to Sam that she and the kids are not coming home until Sam ends his involvement with Curtis and Daley. Sam vows to kill Curtis and Daley, and enlists Henry to help him, Henry is forced to lie to his partner Ashanti (Lashana Lynch). Sam and Henry track down members and associates of Curtis and Daley's operations, to find where they are hiding. Sam gathers some help, including Hassan (Chris Ryman), Henry, Brick (Steven Cree), Sariya (Olivia Chenery), and Calvin (Ashley "Bashy" Thomas), and goes to Daley's estate. Sam and his people storm the house, as armed police approach the scene. Meanwhile, Daley has known all along that Curtis and Hugs have been planning to double-cross him, so he stabs and kills Hugs. Sam's old volunteer PC friend Desmond "Buds" Lynch (David Ajala), now a detective, says he will exonerate Sam of any crimes in return for his giving up Curtis, Daley, and Mooks, the real boss. Sam calls Curtis to arrange a meeting and settle this once and for all. Sam and Curtis fight, Curtis is overcome and wounded, he makes one more attempt to kill Sam, but armed police gun him down. As he dies, Curtis manages to tell Sam where Daley is. Sam tracks Daley to a flat where he's filled a bag with millions of pounds, Daley it turns out is Mooks. Sam confronts Mooks for his actions, grabs the bag from him, and leaves, while Brick shoots and kills Mooks. Safely away, Sam divides up the money with everyone who helped him get revenge on the criminals, as well as Royston and Alisa. Buds approaches Sam while he is with Kayla and the kids, he says will get no more help from him but affirms they are still friends, warning him to stay out of trouble. As the family walks off, Sam tells Kayla, "It's done." Also starring rapper Michael "Stormzy" Omari as Yardz and Nick Nevern as Detective Danny Parkinson. This is a good conclusion to the story of the lead character, obviously it has gritty material concerning British gang and drug culture, quite a lot of prostitutes naked during parties, and violence, but it leaves a tiny bit of room for some humour when suitable, a worthwhile drama. Good!
Review of Brotherhood
