Dexter Fletcher has channelled his wealth of experience in the acting business working with the likes of Alan Parker, David Lynch and Ken Russell to make one of the best British films in years.
This, his directorial debut, is set in the East End of London and though gritty and violent. it's also smart and funny, with razor-sharp dialogue devoid of cliche.
It centres on Bill Hayward (Charlie Creed-Miles) out on parole after eight years behind bars who returns home to discover that his sons, 15-year-old Dean (Will Poulter) and 11-year-old Jimmy (Sammy Williams), have been abandoned by their mother and are fending for themselves.
Dean is working on the Olympic construction site to provide for Jimmy who has become involved with Bill's dangerous old cronies as they battle to keep social services at bay.
Fletcher does an outstanding job in providing a realistic portrayal of east London, filled with grounded characters who you end up caring about, in part thanks to the electrifying performances from Creed-Miles and Poulter and Williams who play his sons.
There are fine performances too from Andy Serkis, Olivia Williams, Jason Flemyng and Jaime Winstone.
Fletcher has come a long way from his days in Bugsy Malone and Press Gang and deserves high praise and recognition for a masterful first feature film.
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