Review of Brighton Rock (2010) by Kirstin G — 27 Jun 2011

In a nutshell: Nasty young Brighton gangster ensnares innocent waitress against the backdrop of 60s youth riots, in a patchy old fashioned film noir remake.

Sam Riley, star of the excellent Joy Division pic "Control" stars as the ambitious and particularly cold hearted Pinkie Brown, a kind of 60s mod Scarface. The tension racks up slowly and although a bit dragging in places, does reach a particularly gripping finale.

So, any good?

Well Pinkie himself is played with a dead eyed shark-like menace, and Anndrea Riseborough is very convincing as the innocent who falls for him. Helen Mirren and John Hurt pitch in to add class, and Gollum Andy Serkis is effective as the slightly camp gang boss. BUT, the whole thing feels very made for TV, and, in sticking to the book and original film (albeit switching the wartime setting for the 60s) feels VERY much like an old black and white film. Which is a bit odd.