MattyGibbs This is one of my favourite films. OK it isn't deep and it's all been done before but it is engrossing and entertaining throughout. What lifts the film above most crime thrillers is the brilliant British cast. Robert Caryle is extremely charismatic in this role and he is given stellar support by Ray Winstone, Lena Headley, Sue Johnston and a very impressive Philip Davis. Even Blur front-man Damon Albarn makes an appearance.The film moves along at a cracking pace, there is a well done and bloody shootout and there is a nice twist. The final scene is beautifully done and is enhanced by the Longpigs brilliant 'On and On'.A really enjoyable film for those that like gangster films with a bit of heart.

nowanunome This is one of the best British Gangster movies of all time! Sadly overlooked. Robert Carlyle is brilliant and authentic in his delivery as a gang leader with a conscience. Like 'Clockers' this is a movie that makes you think. This is not just a gangster/robbery movie. It looks into the lives of each character and their interaction with society and each other. It looks at trust and conscience. The dialog is the best I have heard in this sort of movie and very real. Brilliant performances from all! Great story and ending. Why this was not promoted properly at the time I don't know. Its better than the middle class made Lock Stock, and on a par with The Long Good Friday. Watch and enjoy.

Graham Watson That might sound FACEtious however, to some extent Carlyle plays a similar sort of character who is unable to hold down a regular job. (Carlyle always has a look of total anxiety, as if he just opened up a tax audit it from the Inland Revenue). He is believable as Ray a gun welding crook , not a phyco path, but a former lefty who got fed up supporting fringe left-wing causes with nothing to show for it. He decides to earn a living the old fashioned way — 'by stealing it'! Ray struggles to balance a relationship with his mother, girlfriend as well as being troubled by his conscience about what he does. He does not particularly enjoy doing what he does and often wonders if it's worth it baring in mind he has done time in prison.It has the typical big robbery near the beginning where they have just two minutes to get in and out of the security complex, the obligatory 'have a go hero' guard who gets pistol whipped and then the escape. Much to the despair of the gang although they get a reasonable amount of cash by the time they take out expenses and split it 5 ways there not a lot to show for it. Was their poultry whack worth the risk for a 15 year stretch? To make matters worse and more complicated the tables are turned when the money is actually stolen from the gang, presumably by somebody who knows the routine and the gangs movements. Everybody suspects everybody else and Ray desperately tries to hold the gang together despite finger pointing, blame as well as trying to evade the police who are on to them. The next part of the film unfolds around betrayal, double crossing, desperation, evading capture and greed.The cast is good, Ray Winston does his usual, Damien Albarn tries to look tough, the weaselly nutter played by Philip Davis is entertaining and Steve Waddington plays a heavy that loves comics and is totally dependent on Ray for guidance . It's also good to see British veteran character Peter Vaughan no stranger to playing a crook , plus longtime downtrodden Brookside housewife Sue Johnson still rallying to left wing cause as Rays weary but devoted mum.Apart from the robbery there is a couple of big shoot outs, tension, a mystery, treachery and a couple of odd twists which keep up your interest. The conclusion of the movie is probably well balanced in the end most of the unlikable characters get what's coming to them! Despite possible flaws the cast certainly hold the movie together and it's well worth a watch!(Note: the greasy Irish junkie at the beginning was played by none other Gerry Conlon former Guildford bombing suspect whose conviction was quashed a number of years ago.)

Didier (Didier-Becu) What a big dissapointment this movie was.... First of all I liked all the actors : Robert Carlyle, Ray Winstone, Gerry Conlon and it was definitely interesting to see Blursinger Damon Albarn as actor too and secondly I normally like British movies a lot... But everything is destroyed by director Antonio Bird (famous for "Priest") as this scenario is suffocating... All you get are nice dialogues but it's just like some scenes that are thrown into one movie and due to this you never feel any affection with the play, what you see is what you get but normally I wanna identify myself with the actors when I see British movies, this was more like "Heat" with a very low budget.