Offender

It confounds me how many people find this a 'realistic' film blah blah. A "kid" with no record ends up on the same cell block as offenders with multiple convictions? A youth facility with only one female officer? The uncontrolled behaviour of offenders and staff alike is ridiculous and "realistic?" And I don't think I saw any one offender who looked less than 20 and most looked much older. Even Cole in the lead role was 24 when this was made and he's the youngest looking of the bunch.

The injuries are typical film make-up and if you think a washroom beating leaves you with a bruised eye, you don't know "realistic." The probation officer works alone, doesn't call police, then leaves work in the stereotypical dark and gets punched out in front of typically no witnesses, even though she was initially terrified and HAD to know something could happen. Duh. And she has a shiner to show for it and loses the baby. OMG. How contrived. How stereotypical.

Those of you who think this movie has ANY redeeming qualities, you need to see more films. You also need a prison tour. A realistic stint in prison is boring and I get the need to spice it up. But don't be predictable and stereotypical to the point of insulting. Waste of time.

its an update on scum but very different from recent film dog-pound it actually goes beyond both those due to a truly stunning performance from lead actor Joe Cole who is a newcomer.

Cole is amazing, he has intensity and focus and emotion that reminds me paddy considine sometimes, and also tom hardy in Bronson.

the rest of supporting cast are strong especially the evil prison warden. lots of shaky camera work and a good soundtrack.

very violent sometimes too violent in places, and the ending of this film flips it on you. but after having left it just grows on you and you think more and more about the lives of the two main characters at the end, and what must have happened to them beyond where the story left off, the sign of a good story always if it rattles round in your head as you leave the cinema.

its not really comparable to a Prophete that was a very different film, but this film becomes the new Scum for this century and thanks to actor Cole who will be a star it is powerful enough to be better than Winstone's film from the 80s.

2012 was an amazing film for British Films, something that I realised very early on when I checked out at least 72 of them last year. Offender was the first UK film that I watched in 2013(on DVD). Excellent film with a basic yet very effective storyline and some wonderful performances from the leads and the supporting cast. A 21st century version of 'Scum' with a better storyline. Definitely worth checking out. 2012 gave the film world, great British films like Deviation, GBH, Hard Boiled Sweets. Im very happy to be able to add Offender to the list of films that I recommend.

The DVD is available now to purchase from main outlets.

I found this movie to be somewhat entertaining. However you can't ignore the complete lack of acting ability and intimidation factor that English Frank presents. If he were to walk into an actual prison walking and acting as he does. I have a feeling he would not be the "boss" but the joke of the prison. His acting abilities annoyed me throughout the movie. He was terrible! The goal isn't to look like a bully at recess during your teen years. The goal is to look like an intimidating, overpowering, and scary inmate. I did feel that Joe Cole did a great job as the main character. Putting him up against a "gangster wannabe" who is very bad at acting definitely hurt what could have been a much better movie.

Very enjoyable well made film however English Frank is not good. Proper crap actor, not a much better rapper to be honest.