Feature Film | Crime Drama | UK | English | 1h48m
Dir: David Blair | Scr: Chris Green | Ad. Material: Jeremy Sheldon | Ph: Ali Asad | Prod: Michael Knowles, Brad Moore, & Stacey Murray | Mus: Robert Lane | Ed: Pia Di Ciaula | PD: Kristian Milsted | AD: Blair Barnette | Snd: Lee Walpole | Cast: Stephen Graham, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Emma Stansfield, Maxine Peake, David O'Hara, Lee Ingleby, Peter Wight
In Blair’s diverting crime drama, a small-time criminal, in debt to a local gangster, finds himself forced to coerce his slow-witted gentle giant of a flatmate into a series of illegal cage fights, in order to save his own skin. But, unable to cope with the stress and guilt that he subsequently feels, sees his drink and drug use escalate to dangerous levels. However, romance unexpectedly enters both of their lives, giving them a brief glimmer of hope for a better future. Though generally well crafted, this film, inspired by John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men (1937), never really feels entirely convincing (and at times feels more than a little clichéd), but the fine performances of Graham and, in particular, Akinnuoye-Agbaje more than hold the attention throughout.
