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Spivs

  • 2004
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
440
YOUR RATING
Kate Ashfield, Dominic Monaghan, Nick Moran, and Ken Stott in Spivs (2004)
ComedyDrama

Three East-End Spivs spend their time wheeling and dealing wherever and whenever they can. After one of their scams goes south, the three con men are left to care for two young illegal immig... Read allThree East-End Spivs spend their time wheeling and dealing wherever and whenever they can. After one of their scams goes south, the three con men are left to care for two young illegal immigrants.Three East-End Spivs spend their time wheeling and dealing wherever and whenever they can. After one of their scams goes south, the three con men are left to care for two young illegal immigrants.

  • Director
    • Colin Teague
  • Writers
    • Mike Loveday
    • Colin Teague
    • Gary Young
  • Stars
    • Kate Ashfield
    • Linda Bassett
    • Chooye Bay
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.3/10
    440
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Colin Teague
    • Writers
      • Mike Loveday
      • Colin Teague
      • Gary Young
    • Stars
      • Kate Ashfield
      • Linda Bassett
      • Chooye Bay
    • 14User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos3

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    Top cast32

    Edit
    Kate Ashfield
    Kate Ashfield
    • Jenny
    Linda Bassett
    Linda Bassett
    • Auntie Vee
    Chooye Bay
    Chooye Bay
    • Japanese man
    • (as Chooi Beh)
    Elizabeth Berrington
    Elizabeth Berrington
    • Nigel's secretary
    Jennifer Cartwright
    • Bad Ice Skater
    Paul Clarke
    • Gangster
    Cavan Clerkin
    Cavan Clerkin
    • Bob
    Shane Davey
    Shane Davey
    • Ice Skater
    Jack Dee
    Jack Dee
    • Nigel
    Louis Dempsey
    Louis Dempsey
    • Uncle Frank
    Glenn Durfort
    Glenn Durfort
    • Glenn
    Neil Edmond
    Neil Edmond
    • Observant Waiter
    Stephen Evans
    • Park Attendant
    Julia Hargesheimer
    • Teenage Safe House Girl
    Tamer Hassan
    Tamer Hassan
    • Villa
    Paul Kaye
    Paul Kaye
    • O'Brien
    Derek Lea
    Derek Lea
    • Villa's Associate #1
    Dominic Monaghan
    Dominic Monaghan
    • Goat
    • Director
      • Colin Teague
    • Writers
      • Mike Loveday
      • Colin Teague
      • Gary Young
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews14

    5.3440
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    Featured reviews

    easter11

    Sweet film that's not going to rock the world

    This film is suffering a bit of an identity crisis - is it a comedy, a drama or what? There are good performances from Kate Ashfield and some of the best moments in the film are the ones with Ken Stott, his aunt (Linda Bassett) and the children - these are tender moments that are well captured. Jack Dee's character is weak and badly portrayed. There are some fun moments but overall this film doesn't gel well. Go and see this film to support British movie making, its a sweet film that portrays the wheeler dealers of east London and had it had a few more bucks in the budget, could have been tightened up somewhat to produce a gem perhaps.
    7Ali_John_Catterall

    Tough yet warm-hearted Britcrime offering

    Gentleman Jack (Stott), his edgy right-hander Steve (Moran), sexy self-styled moll Jenny (Ashfield) and stoner Goat (Monaghan) pull elaborate cons on wannabe villains, buoyed by the motto: "You can't cheat an honest man". Victims include O'Brien, played by Kaye as a lisping ne'er-do-well with a silly haircut and a penchant for cash machine fraud, and nice-but-dim Nigel (Dee), owner of an ailing haulage company.

    But Jack and Co. find themselves in deep water after they attempt to steal the latter's office equipment and drive it away in a 'borrowed' lorry which turns out to be full of Albanian human traffic. When the immigrants scarper, a little brother and sister are left behind. Grudgingly, Jack becomes their unofficial guardian - but is closely trailed by some murderous parties, while Steve and Jenny, intent on closing that mythical long con, walk headlong into harm.

    Spivs initially hoodwinks audiences into assuming it's something that it's not, featuring the usual checklist of East End settings, shady characters and slang ("What do you think I am, some kind of meat-puppet?") which must be included by law in all contemporary British crime flicks.

    However, it soon reveals itself to be both a textured character-study of a drowning middle-aged man yearning for redemption, and a harrowing expose of the illegal immigrant / underage sex slave trade.

    That the slapstick and tragic elements mostly hang together bears testament to a well-plotted, well-researched script (occasionally sentimental, though never mawkish), along with an immensely touching central performance by Stott. It's rare and refreshing in these kinds of films to find a late fortysomething taking precedence over two young hipsters like Moran and Ashfield. Fine support too from Bassett as Jack's tough-talking sister Vee.

    A modern Brit crime movie sporting substance over style? It must be a con!
    6whendeee

    Good mix of Brit gangster and social conscience film excelling at neither

    A London based film, Spiv has the mood of a classic London based Gangster, or wide-boy, films such as 'The long good Friday', Layer Cake, Lock Stock and two smoking barrels. It tackles fundamental, international, human rights issues. There is a reasonable review posted on "Eye for film'. The review doesn't adequately acknowledge the disturbing topic matter of the film: humans, children as a commodity for trade in Western captialistic culture. Life and sex as something that has monetary, tradeable value.

    Beautiful lighting and attention to photographics details. For example, during the opening credits we see the Spiv dressing. Smart 3-piece suit, classic style with the last button of the waistcoat undone. Inbetween the calm attention of his dressing we see and hear loud scenes from racecourse. We swiftly move to the spinning a yarn. We watch the Spiv talk in one screen frame while simultaneously viewing the story he is recounting in an inset. This technique of multiple frames is used sparingly, to good effect. The ending is clever and leaves enough to to feed your imagination. It's more of a turning point in a story than a 'wrap up all major themes' ending.

    For Anglophiles there are some excellent scenes of London, Docklands, Victorian red-brick terraced streets, slummy high-rise flats, gray skies, the London underground. Jack Dee plays a significant bit part as a builder called 'Nige' with impressively powerful perception and sublety. Summary? This is half way between a well constructed art film and a socially conscious film. It doesn't hit the heights of either, it does meld the experiences well. It is worth watching if either genre moves you.
    10mummzy12

    An exciting film treat

    I had to search the internet to find a cinema where it was showing(it has not been widely promoted)but I was glad that I did find it.the film brought out a wide range of emotions in me it was in places tender,dramatic,exciting and midway through the film there is a shock I certainly didn't see coming.The acting was top class. Dominic Monaghan was totally believable as a cockney dope head and even brought a little comic relief to a film dealing with some very serious issues:ken stott gave a great performance too,the parts of the two children caught up in the drama are convincingly played and I found nothing at all to complain about in Spivs:it is well worth watching and I look forward to seeing it again
    markdawnay

    The Best Truly British Flick In Years

    One of the best movies that i have seen in years, a true and gritty depiction of London life, with a comedic strain that can only be described as classic British humour. Spivs is a also a touching heartfelt story about the horror that is the modern day slave trade. A truly strong and great piece of cinema I can't recommend it enough. Onwards and upwards for the British Film Industry.

    Support the British Film Industry on Friday the 24th September when SPIVS is released.

    A film born and breed in Britain. A true depiction of British life today, this witty yet gritty comedy-drama stars: Ken Stott (King Arthur,) Nick Moran (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,) Kate Ashfield, (Shaun of the Dead,) Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy,) Jack Dee and Paul Kaye

    SPIVS Cert 15 Running time 91 Minutes.

    Carnaby Films are a totally unique company, funded by the British people, for the British people.

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    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Rita Ora's debut.
    • Quotes

      Goat: Where's the dipstick?

      Steve: I'm lookin' at it.

    • Connections
      Spoofs Only Fools and Horses (1981)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 24, 2004 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Albanian
    • Also known as
      • 混世情真
    • Filming locations
      • Canary Wharf Underground Station, Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs, London, England, UK(location)
    • Production company
      • Carnaby International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 35m(95 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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