Review of London to Brighton (2006) by Reko U — 25 Sep 2007

British films nowadays tend to be bad comedies or gritty gangster flicks; this is the latter. In fact, L to B is more than gritty, it's an unflinching social commentary with a focus so narrow it feels like a triple espresso.

Sure, some elements are cliched, but the mockney accents are played down and definitely not parodied. Stuart Allen (a well-cast Spruell) is the cool, calm, hard gangster on the trail of prostitute Kelly and 11-year old Joanna, both on the run after an incident involving Stuart's father, Duncan.

For all of it though, the film still feels a bit standard until the closing 10 minutes, when it reveals a surprising moral denouement which itself forms the crucial commentary. Depressing viewing, but worth it for the ending.