Holding On (1999)

1990s London: A smalltime criminal is hired to commit a killing. A senior barrister is murdered while visiting a suburban brothel. Initial suspicions fall on the barrister's ex-wife until a... See full summary »

Director:

Afonso Reis e Sousa

Stars:

Kenneth Colley, Douglas Fielding, Jan Goodman

Cast

Credited cast:
Kenneth Colley	...	Phil
Douglas Fielding	...	John Walker
Jan Goodman
Gordon Winter
Paul Slack
Ian Ross-Henderson	...	(as Joshua Henderson)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nick Bartlett	...	Dan B
Linda Regan	...	Pru

Storyline

1990s London: A smalltime criminal is hired to commit a killing. A senior barrister is murdered while visiting a suburban brothel. Initial suspicions fall on the barrister's ex-wife until a retired Detective Superintendent - also an old friend of the victim - becomes involved in the investigation to help her clear her name.

Details

Country:

UK

Release Date:

2008 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Altered Perceptions

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

User Reviews

I'd like to like it but it's just not that good

It's hard supporting low-budget British filmmakers when they keep on turning out films that just aren't good enough. For every London to Brighton, there are four or five Holding Ons on the shelf because they're not really worth releasing.

It's not all bad. There's a good opening shot craning around a sink estate that promises better to come. But it looks like they blew the whole budget on that and a similar closing shot. Consequently the rest of the film looks like it was shot in a hurry, with some shots having odd sightlines where the actors don't quite seem to be looking in the right place. The plot is very predictable and performances poor. It's possible that the behind the camera team may go on to do better, but next time they need a stronger story and to think how they will film it first.