Credited cast: | |||
Stephen Graham | ... | Danny | |
David O'Hara | ... | Curtis | |
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje | ... | Joseph | |
Lee Ingleby | ... | Deano | |
Maxine Peake | ... | Isabel | |
Peter Wight | ... | Roger | |
Emma Stansfield | ... | Lisa | |
Stuart Wolfenden | ... | Pete | |
Brad Moore | ... | Jon | |
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Mark Strange | ... | Vinny |
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Kieran Hardcastle | ... | Hoody |
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Robert Stone | ... | Doyle |
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Ryan Barr | ||
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Sarah Parks | ... | Marriane |
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Nicola Potts | ... | Tina |
David Blair directs this powerful British Drama, loosely inspired by John Steinbeck's novel 'Of Mice and Men'. Set in Nottingham, the film revolves around the relationship between the thuggish Danny (Stephen Graham) and Joseph (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), a giant of a man with a mental age of seven. When Danny finds himself in debt to a local crime boss, he feels he is left with no choice but to manipulate Joseph into participating in a series of underground cage fights from which Danny can pay his debts. However, as the fights become harder and Danny and Joesph fall for two beautiful women, Danny starts to question his own motives. Ultimately, this is a story of love and friendship and how far you would go for a friend. Written by Chris Green & MoliFilms
This is film making, not movie making and if you don't understand the difference you might struggle to understand the film.
There are no bombs, flames or explosions but there is plenty of grit, pathos and some tidy cinematography.
Because of or in spite of the dreariness of the location where most of it was filmed, Tragic Nottingham ? Dunno, but it fits well.
The opening shot of Stephen Graham is worth the price of admission alone and from that shot you know what you're supposed to be going to get.
Sadly and all too often, such promise quickly fades but not here. The cast keep it tight enough to hold your interest and loose enough for the dialogue to be relaxed and natural, right through to the inevitable end.
This is in no short measure down to the talented cast, held together by Stephen Graham, another British actor from over here, who's doing rather well over there.
MORE like this, please, film makers.