IMDb >
Shifty (2008)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsShifty (2008) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos (see all 2) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
24 April 2009 (UK) moreTagline:
24 hours to deal yourself outPlot:
Shifty, a young crack cocaine dealer in London, sees his life quickly spiral out of control when his best friend returns home... more | add synopsisAwards:
5 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(5 articles)
Shifty - Trailer (From LateFilmFull. 17 April 2009, 12:45 AM, PDT)
Crack dealers in London! A Shifty trailer
(From Twitch. 1 April 2009, 8:25 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Depressing Urban Dirge moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Riz Ahmed | ... | Shifty | |
| Daniel Mays | ... | Chris | |
| Jason Flemyng | ... | Glen | |
| Nitin Ganatra | ... | Rez | |
| Jay Simpson | ... | Trevor | |
| Dannielle Brent | ... | Jasmine | |
| Francesca Annis | ... | Valerie | |
| Kate Groombridge | ... | Loretta | |
| Jason Maza | ... | Malik | |
| Jordan Long | ... | Lenny | |
| Rory Jennings | ... | Otis | |
| Courtney Day | ... | Otis' Girlfriend | |
| Gracie Fitch | ... | Katie Palmer | |
| Nathaniel Gleed | ... | Freddy Palmer | |
| Eddie Webber | ... | Bob Moran |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
85 min | Germany:86 min (European Film Market)Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Shifty (2008)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| when will this be released?? | louisharris12 |
| Cut in the UK? (According to the IMDB page) | George_Sawer_Oxford_UK |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Basketball Diaries | Heaven | Cidade de Deus | Go | Pure |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Thriller section | IMDb UK section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |




A valiant effort that fails due to a poor script.Any production made in 18 days for £100,000 deserves good luck.And it is not without its good points.The cinematography is excellent, the editing crisp, the shots well framed and the feel authentic rather than cheap. As Director, Evan Creevy does a good job. As a writer he is seduced into believing that a gritty, street realisation is going to be enough. It is not.Furthermore the music score appears to have been the coursework for a GCSE music student, it is that rudimentary and uninspired.
The running time of just under 90 minutes is perfect for telling a story,yet it feels like a long time.Well acted, Riz Ahmed as lead role Shifty, is convincing enough, but is let down by flat dialogue.His passing resemblance to Rio Ferdinand is further mirrored by the banality of his lines, many of which are about as compelling as a Rio post match interview.
Drug culture films are difficult to pull off.This certainly does not glorify drugs, but with no sparkling badinage, and glamour it struggles to find a place beyond a "bad day for a drug dealer".Frustratingly, two scenes dripping with potential are thrown away. When Shifty and his sidekick literally bump into an acquaintance clearly on the run from something, the drama is eschewed for a cheap laugh.Then a junkie pensioner's penchant for dead cats is again tossed away as a visual gag. Think what Tarrantino would have made of that.
Creevy's previous expertise has been in music video shoots, and it shows. Great at creating a vibe - poor at telling a story.When he finds the right creative partner we may have something to enthuse about.A talented ensemble company do their best with thin fare.I suspect that the urban multicultural ingredients here found favour to secure the Lottery Grant which helped to fund this picture.But in buying this ticket they bought a dud.