Going Off Big Time

The movie is a nice piece of art. Original not boring. Until the ending of this movie i would give it a 9, but when i saw the ending, I changed into a 7. It left a bitter taste in my mouth...

Typical story of a gangster who after going* to prison Learns that you have to get tough to get ahead! It kept me interested as I like gangster films (Hence 6 stars is probably generous) but the plot is basic and the film reeks of low budget from start to finish. Acting is pretty good especially from the main character. All in all worth a watch if you like violent films about gangsters from a Liverpool. I guess I do!

Saw this film on late night TV the other night and was entranced by

its sheer awfulness. Alas it surely must be added to the future

cult movie genre 'bad British gangster films' .

Right from the word go it was terrible, the clichés coming thick and

fast. The strippers, the snorters, the shooters ('did you bring it ?'),

the pretty blond lawyer, the flashbacks, the jail, the bully, the wise

old con, the predatory homosexual, the fights, the rise to the top,

the gay crime lord, the thick coppers........it just went on and on... It

is a crime film where the writer has been influenced by the genre

rather than any real knowledge of - or insight into -criminal

behavior. The end result is a rubbish plot and bad dialogue. The title itself

is a clue. Very poor.

This film is a very welcome break from big-budget silly pseudo gangster nonsense like Rocknrolla or the usual vacuous Hollywood fare that we've come to expect. With a refreshingly understated narration by the ever impressive Neil Fitzmaurice, the film is mostly a flashback, which makes you want to keep watching until the whole thing is 'resolved'. Good performances all the way through, the low budget is not too apparent, and there are some very memorable scenes, without the film trying to hard to impress. I would say that this film is well worth adding to your collection, and it's even watchable with your girlfriend, as its strengths are in the plot and atmosphere, rather than macho antics or mindless violence. After it's over, you are left thinking about it, which doesn't always happen with this kind of production. SEE IT!

The best I can say about it is that it was OK. Not a huge plot, probably realistic (not being an expert on prison life or gangster culture) so whilst it wasn't gripping, it was ok as a "whilst I am doing something else" film.

Mercifully short.