| RATING: | 80% |
| FORMAT: | DVD |
Despite being somewhat contrived, this is a stylish look at inner-city crime among the White lower class. Despite the large-scale absence of Black people here, the Whites adopt UK Black slang as their favored argot to express their emotional limitations born of being unwanted children.
A sort of Get Carter for senior citizens, this offers only curative solutions to the structural problems presented, yet is as entertaining as these serious limitations allows.
The characterization is good but not profound – yet just deep enough to make this rise above the usual violent revenge-thriller. The over-eager desire to please its audience with action scenes creates a tension between the film being plot- and/or character driven. (This becomes more obvious with deleted scenes that reveal some rather good acting left on the cutting-room floor.)
The high quality performances remaining require special mention and Michael CAINE is especially moving as the old Royal Marine at the end of his tether: His world weary and quiet performance as a lonely widower quite dominates the film. Moreover, Ben DREW, as the depraved criminal’s son, is extremely scary along with his two henchboys: Jamie DOWNEY &
Without this classy casting, this movie would simply be another cloned cross between Taxi Driver and Death Wish - with none of the brilliance of the former.
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