nickwhite-19645
Netflix suggested I watch this after seeing 'Brighton Rock' and I can see why. The intensity of the characters' demise and their struggle to make sense of what happens makes for compelling viewing.The setting is everything, from the local football club to Battersea Bridge and all streets in between. While the characters don't cross over too much (which might make it a bit of a soap opera) they make subtle references which keeps the viewer guessing. I guess the theme is around disintegration and how we all cope when things seem to deteriorate. A really absorbing film, well worth a watch.
leonblackwood
Review: This is a decent films, about 3 different situations, which spiral out of control, on the streets of London. Idris Elba plays a successful ex-England captain, who is forced to leave the family home after his wife, Emily (Gemma Arterton), finds out about his various affairs and wild party life. Without his wife by his side, he soon becomes lonely, and he misses his 2 young kids, so he tries his utmost to rekindle his damaged relationship with his wife, who is in two minds. The second story is about a young teenager, Kingsley (Franz Drameh), who sells drugs whilst living on a council estate with his mother and sister but he craves a new life on stage, with his poetry. When he bumps into Terence (Ken Scott), whilst doing community service, they soon becomes friends, even though they come from 2 completely different worlds. Terence points Kingsley in the right direction for a better life but he is dragged down by his criminal surroundings. The final story is about a taxi driver, George (Charlie Creed-Miles), who is trying to adopt a child with his girlfriend Kathy (Kierston Wareing). After George runs over a cyclist, he becomes a recluse, which puts a strain on his relationship and there abilities to become parents. I did find the movie quite entertaining and the performances were believable but it's not the type of film that you would watch twice. I didn't really see the point of the taxi driver story, and I thought the director would have joined the various stories together but with that aside, it's a watchable movie which covers many different elements. Idris Elba did stand out from the rest, especially when he suffered his breakdown but I found it quite predictable and the storyline wasn't that original. Average!Round-Up: This movie was directed by Jim O'Hanlon, 46, who has directed mostly for TV. Some of the programs include Coronation Street, Bad Girls, The Bill, Casualty, Walking The Dead and Shameless but this is his first movie that was made for the big screen. Now that Idris Elba has become a worldwide star, I'm sure that the director felt lucky to get him on board for this project, which was why he gave him the most emotional role. It still felt like it was made for TV but with such a low budget, the director done a decent job.Budget: £3million Worldwide Gross: N/AI recommend this movie to people who are into their dramas, starring Gemma Arterton, Idris Elba, Tom Cullen, Kierston Wareing, Ken Scott, Charlie Creed-Miles and Ryan Gage. 4/10
bjarias
..the entire trailer for the film shows and sells it as if it's all Atherton and Elba and if that were the case then it would have been acceptable.. but in fact the movie is not all them (they're like one-third of it) and so it suffers.. for their story is limited and shortchanged, and the others that are in fact part of the film are not all that intriguing.. in fact they're pretty standard and boring.. they obviously wanted their names to draw attention, and with a bit more thought to the overall process (and having them involved as a larger part of the production) they could have wound up with a substantially better work... you're looking for them, and so you come away disappointed..
Gordon-11
This film tells the story of several residents in inner London. They are from different social classes, ranging from a sport superstar living in fancy mansions, to young man who struggles to break free from being a small time criminal.I can't even remember why I wanted to watch it in the first place. Perhaps it was because of the two notable stars, Idris and Gemma. They portray a couple who are going through relationship issues, but unfortunately their story is not very engaging. The ending of their story is simply unrealistic and over-dramatised. For the subplot of the young man who wants to embark on the right path, it is the more engaging story. It is sad that his mentor died, but unfortunately the story telling just is not very captivating. This subplot should evoke sympathy and emotions, but it does nothing to me. Maybe it is because the characters in the film have little emotional displays, they just get on with their lives in an ordinary manner. The resultant film is not as touching or affecting as one could have hoped.
