Review of Essex Boys (2000) by John S — 24 Dec 2010

I nearly forgot about this one I must admit. Watched it a few days ago and needless to say the impression it left upon me was not very deep or meaningful.

Simply this is a movie made in Essex and being as I am an Essex expat who has now lived as much time out of Essex as in it I am beginning to feel the need to watch anything made in my home county for posterity purposes (whatever that may be).

On to the film. Essex boys is based on a true story, the ending of which is three dead men in a landrover somewhere in the countryside of Essex (a story I remember from the Essex Chronicle way back in the mid nineties). From what I know of the story the film does deviate quite a lot from the truth but thats artistic license for you.

There are some fine actors in this film, Sean Bean, Tom Wilkinson, Larry Lamb - I have admired all of them at one stage but this film is a bit of a dud.

The film isnt really an action film, its not a drama and not a comedy either, it cant seem to make up its mind what it wants to be but then thats not always a bad thing.

Problem is you dislike nearly all of the characters, especially Jason Lock, and you cant wait for them to be knocked off. Once this is done the ending is spread out way too long and doesnt make any real sense when you get there.

All in all a bit shit really.