Shifty (2008)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Eran Creevy

Writer:

Eran Creevy (writer)

Release Date:

24 April 2009 (UK)

Genre:

Thriller

Tagline:

24 hours to deal yourself out

Plot:

Shifty, a young crack cocaine dealer in London, sees his life quickly spiral out of control when his best friend returns home...

Plot Keywords:

Cocaine | Park | Crack | Bus | Police

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

85 min | Germany:86 min (European Film Market)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

UK:15 (cut) | Ireland:16

Company:

Between The Eyes

Depressing Urban Dirge

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.