A Violent Man

Actor Ross McCall makes his directorial debut, second writing credit, and also cast himself in this low budget B film, and he did not disappoint. This is one of the much better B films I've seen in a long time. McCall's directing, along with the excellent cinematography, use of colors, and amazing camera angles/shots, as well as the impressive low budget basically two-room set, captured the gritty prison jail cell vibe to perfection. Add the better than usual (for a B film) score - just sometimes a little overbearing, and the viewer is immersed in the scenes. The 105 min runtime flew by even with the slow pacing and the lack of any real storyline, which is my only complaint. I get that McCall was aiming for a more character driven film, but there were many convoluted scenes, some needing more info, and an ending that needed explaining. I usually can guess or use my imagination for such endings, but I got too invested in the story and really wanted to know what McCall was trying to achieve. Had his writing been tighter, this film could've been one of the best prison films. The casting and performances were all spot on, with Fairbrass giving us one of his best performances to date. He carried this film and was really convincing in his character. Stephen Odubola was awesome, and the lovely Zoe Tapper was easy on the eyes. Overall I really enjoyed this film, and if you're a fan of the genre or Fairbrass, it's a must see. I applaud Ross McCall for giving us this little gem. It's a well deserving 7.5 rounded up to 8/10 from me.

Heavy hard going. Don't watch if you need cheering up.

Craig Fairbrass, although is by now too typecast for his talent, is brilliant as usual. Carries a dark dark film further than it could have gone without him.

When I first read the synopsis I thought this would be another cheaply made prison B-movie, with tons of macho cliches. None of that though.

The good: seriously good acting performances by all actors involved, but especially the leading actor is quite impressive to watch.

More good: we only get to see the inside of the dark prison cells, but despite these small and claustrophobic prison cells, there is still lots of great photography to be seen, underscored with a decent soundtrack. I hadnt expected these kind of qualities in such a low budget movie.

Not any bad? Well, this story is simply too bleak and depressing to my likings. This movie will never get popular for that very reason, but I aint saying it is a bad movie because of that. Not at all.

One thing was bugging me though, because there is a lack in dramatic development in the story, because there simply is not any sort of gripping storyline, which could have kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. There was only more of the same bleak and depressing scenes of prison life, minute after minute... Understandable of course, because repetitious, depressing lving conditions is what real prison life is about, but movie making isnt. Kinda missed opportunity, to make this movie rise beyond what it is effectively now: a hardhitting, depressing portrait of the destructive prison conditions.

Well acted though. And impressively portrayed. But I guess only suited for those who can stumach such a bleak and depressing story...

A very powerful, grim but compelling prison drama focused primarily on a prisoner serving life with no chance of ever being released.

The whole movie is set in one prison cell without a single glimpse of the outside world. It's a hard hitting exploration of coming to terms with life with no hope.

The acting is superb which really gives the impact intended by the writer of this extremely grim tale.

Part of me was eager for the movie to end as it was so depressing but I am glad that I watched it. If nothing else it makes the viewer glad not to share such a hopeless future.

My only complaint is that I found the dialogue difficult to understand as the characters tended to mumble a lot. Perhaps it was just the sound recording but I kept having to turn up the volume, yet still I couldn't understand it all.

All in all I thought the movie was very good but don't watch it if you need cheering up.

Its sad to see that great movies and outstanding acting dont get high scores anymore.

Anyway.... This movie is a 1 room story. That in itself is hard to do then theres the small team and low budget. But the skill of the makers and acting made for a great film.....I swear i sound like I work for them but I dont. I just like the theatre and watching a good play...which by the way isnt much more thana cinema ticket.

But watching a theatre production gives you a respect for the story teller and acting to tell a huge story and off shoots of that story all from one stage...or room in this case, and to pull it off. And I think that gives me a respect and understanding for the work put into this film.

Not perfect but really well done and acting is outstanding. I believed everyone was who they portrayed ...some hollywood A listers could learn a thing or two.

Story telling 8 acting 10 score 7.