Four

FOUR is a film that's far too low budget to work properly. The entire movie literally consists of four actors in a grungy old warehouse, with no lighting and seemingly no script given the constant, expletive-laden, and repetitive nature of the dialogue.

The best thing about this film is a monologue by guest star Sean Pertwee early on, when he talks about other, better films like RESERVOIR DOGS which was a clear inspiration. After that we get the usual guy-strapped-to-a-chair nonsense, with lots of brutality and slight veers into torture porn territory.

Sadly the direction is absolutely pedestrian, the script brings nothing new to the table, and acting from the likes of Martin Compston and Craig Conway isn't enough to tune in for. For a much better version of a similar story, check out the American B-flick SUSHI GIRL.

Possibly the best low budget film I have seen to date. The director uses the desolate location and some amazing acting talent to bring to life a clever, intricate and often funny script. The language is shocking, as is the level of violence, but this created for me an almost morbid, edge of seat fascination, wondering what would come next. The ending was unexpected and not for the faint hearted! Interestingly, it was difficult to like any of the four characters, and the audience were left knowing little more about them than we did at the start of the film. Definitely a film to watch, perhaps more than once to really appreciate the subtle inferences of the script and direction.

I probably shouldn't have watched this. I'd skimmed through some of the bad reviews but thought maybe it would still be OK. After all, I'm a sucker for a four-hander play, set in one location. Anyway, as you can guess from the title of this review, I should have heeded the message. It is a poor film. Funnily enough it seems clear that the makers have genuinely tried hard to make something good. It just isn't.

The dialogue is poor and unrealistic, the writer constantly betrays his characters, scenarios are derivative and the movie just feels too contrived. In addition, although a useful premise to start with, the ending is far too weak. Less is more might have made for a more effective film. A better writer would've done too.

I watched this late as I could not sleep. Yes it did have a little Chuckle Brother humour - but it did lighten it up. I knew it was not going to be too serious the way Sean Pertwee was knocking the crap out of the kidnapped man and the man was able to respond in a tone which you would use to order a pizza - although he did get better. The premise was a good one but the film could have been different and a lot darker, but for light entertainment it was good.

Sean is always a pleasure to watch and the Welsh lead was a bit wishy washy however the female character was brilliant. She certainly took control of the situation - which the viewer could see from a distance.

Worth a watch but don't expect social or ethical undertones.

Having not heard a great deal about this movie I assumed that it would be passable at best. WRONG. It's a thoroughly entertaining and tightly made piece, with tight directorial pace and sharp dialogue. It is undeniably and unashamedly a film made on a lower budget than Hollywood fare but this is to the films credit rather than it's detriment. A lack of extraneous whistles and bells leaves a script which is economic and witty, delivered very competently by the cast. The location (which incidentally is beautifully lit)acts as the fifth member of this ensemble cast. The direction is stylish without being intrusive. There are a couple of lines of Dialogue I found clumsy but they are few and far between and given the nature of a dialogue and character driven piece not entirely unexpected. Bottom line, It is defiantly a film worth a look.