Firstly; I will say, clearly this film will not cater to all tastes. I agree with many of the other reviews; pacing is certainly one of the biggest issues with the script, which lurches between acts in places. That said, it does not hurt the film as a whole, as it can clearly be seen what the director was trying to do, without outstaying their welcome.
Whilst bleak, the story is one that needs to be told, preferably to the largest audience possible. I also agree with the point many others have made; this is the closest to the classic "Wheel TV/Video combo into class & watch documentary/public safety films in junior school" material that has been produced in recent years. As it was/is a sign of that era, it is something that has sadly died out by-and-large of late. This is unfortunate, as films made in this style are essential to tell stories/get the message across to the yoof.
The story is tightly & efficiently told, using a minimum of actors/supporting cast. All of which do a top job in their respective characters. There are literally NO "known actors" apart from a couple that have done soap's (soap operas), this is of no consequence & in fact IMHO helps to deliver a certain "authenticity", in that the characters are portrayed as "nobodies" essentially.
The actor playing "Simon" (The pusher-man) does a superbly understated and restrained job of presenting a man of quiet menace. Only going to anger in short bursts, just enough to inform the viewer that this person should not be crossed. The scene where "T" enters the restaurant, and sees him sitting with his wife and young daughter, essentially the mirror to his own family unit (the overwhelming use of glass in the scene a nice D. P touch), is especially poignant as it effortlessly tells 2 stories at once: 1) This life of crime can get you these nice things.
2) But it's not for the likes of you boy, now get out of here!
The final scene does a great job of framing the story as a whole, "Why do you do this to people?"..."Because it's easy..." Yes; easy for the ones who already have the advantage over poorer, more easily manipulated individuals. Dark characters with zero moral compass, or integrity, who take great delight in controlling and dominating others in this life.
Powerful stuff, not exactly a "feel good film" for sure...
Whilst bleak, the story is one that needs to be told, preferably to the largest audience possible. I also agree with the point many others have made; this is the closest to the classic "Wheel TV/Video combo into class & watch documentary/public safety films in junior school" material that has been produced in recent years. As it was/is a sign of that era, it is something that has sadly died out by-and-large of late. This is unfortunate, as films made in this style are essential to tell stories/get the message across to the yoof.
The story is tightly & efficiently told, using a minimum of actors/supporting cast. All of which do a top job in their respective characters. There are literally NO "known actors" apart from a couple that have done soap's (soap operas), this is of no consequence & in fact IMHO helps to deliver a certain "authenticity", in that the characters are portrayed as "nobodies" essentially.
The actor playing "Simon" (The pusher-man) does a superbly understated and restrained job of presenting a man of quiet menace. Only going to anger in short bursts, just enough to inform the viewer that this person should not be crossed. The scene where "T" enters the restaurant, and sees him sitting with his wife and young daughter, essentially the mirror to his own family unit (the overwhelming use of glass in the scene a nice D. P touch), is especially poignant as it effortlessly tells 2 stories at once: 1) This life of crime can get you these nice things.
2) But it's not for the likes of you boy, now get out of here!
The final scene does a great job of framing the story as a whole, "Why do you do this to people?"..."Because it's easy..." Yes; easy for the ones who already have the advantage over poorer, more easily manipulated individuals. Dark characters with zero moral compass, or integrity, who take great delight in controlling and dominating others in this life.
Powerful stuff, not exactly a "feel good film" for sure...