Written by Jez Butterworth, perhaps more famous for his hit Jerusalem, it's a 1995 written black comedy set in the rock'n'roll scene of 1950s Soho. Savagely funny it delves into the sleazy underworld of nightclub owners and runners.
This all-male world is inhabited by petty men with their petty concerns, petty dealings and petty crimes. But soon the dodgy dealings around newly discovered Camden singing star Silver Johnny turn their minor squabbles into profound jealousies, exposing bitter rivalries, betrayals and eventually extreme violence.
It's a foul-mouthed world these characters live in with lots of effing and chuffing - Pinter and Tarantino would both be proud. But hearing such profanities on the lips of its all-star cast, who have between a fairly posh canon of work, is at times distracting to say the least. Did Rod Weasley just say 'cunt'?
Nonetheless the acting is top notch; Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey, The Weir), Rupert Grint (Harry Potter, Driving Lessons), Tom Rhys Harries, Daniel Mays (Made in Dagenham, Mrs Biggs, The Winterling), Colin Morgan (Merlin, Doctor Who) and Ben Whishaw (Skyfall, The Hour, Peter and Alice) all excel.
Daniel Mays is perhaps the stand-out talent here bringing depth, empathy and masterly comic timing to what is at its core a rather dislikeable also-ran character. Special mention should also go to Ben Whishaw who gamely plays the psycho son to the max. And he sings too!
Recommended.
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