Dirtymoney (2013)

One young man's journey into London's criminal underworld.

Director:

Adam Tysoe

Writer:

Adam Tysoe

Stars:

Anthony Welsh, Elsa Mollien, Mem Ferda

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Welsh	...	Leo Roberts
Elsa Mollien	...	Nadia Melgueira
Mem Ferda	...	Ilir Duka
Max Wrottesley	...	Gjon Duka
Sophie Anderson	...	Candy
Chloe Farnworth	...	Angel
Philip Rosch	...	Peter Westlake
Zephryn Taitte	...	Michael da Costa
Anne-Marie Hughes	...	Lara
Paul Nash	...	Baz Archer
Grahame Fox	...	Ron Marsh
Adam Cole	...	Patrice Larrieu
Joanna Howden	...	Student
Simon DeSilva	...	Alexei
Andy Gillies	...	Bob Norbright

Storyline

Seduced by the instant rewards of criminal activity, LEO ROBERTS (Anthony Welsh) enters the shadowy underground world of strip clubs, saunas, drugs and prostitution. Blinded by the potential power and prestige, Leo is convinced he is in control, only to realise that he has to start playing by a different set of rules. The rules set by crime boss ILIR DUKA (Mem Ferda). Leo's chosen path, soon spirals out of control, where the stakes keep getting higher and higher, until there is no turning back.

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Plot Keywords:

criminal | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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User Reviews

Very watchable atypical gangster film

DirtyMoney is a very understated and simple film that manages to stay true to the Gangster film norms without ever falling foul of its clichés.

Rather than exaggerate the life of an urban criminal with extensive gunplay, car chases and witty one-liners the film takes a serious and considered look at highs and lows of (mostly) victimless crime.

Those extremes aren't a Goodfellas type romp; the voice-over tells us more than the images, and there's a quiet satisfaction supported by only muted displays of extravagance. Similarly the lows are captured in the expressions of the actors more than their actions, letting the audience empathise rather than be a voyeur.

This could have made DirtyMoney a great film, something Anthony Welsh's performance deserves. Unfortunately it instead left me detached, observing without participating in the film and its story, and at times confused by the actions and motives of key characters.

Overall it's worth watching and a fine alternative take on the classic British gangster genre. Just not one to watch a second time.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 September 2013 (UK)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dirtymoney productions, Insight Films, Finite Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Color:

Color