Review of Pimp (2010) by Colin O — 18 May 2010

Recommendable only to those with a desperate urge to know more about the financial infrastructure of the grot industry. Still, "Pimp" is one of those bad films from which a better film keeps threatening to emerge: with actual sex (or glamour) thin on the ground, the one area of intrigue resides in the fact Woody, contrary to his name, has neither the time nor the inclination to dip his wick; Cavanah does a workable line in grim, greasy-haired desperation, shading into something potentially redemptive when he develops a protective streak around one of his stable.

Such dramatic subtleties are, however, routinely trampled over whenever Dyer swaggers on, touting suit, cigar and unlikely array of torture implements; it's here the film betrays an inability to shake off its own worst commercial instincts.

There is a low-budget gem to be seen about the cash-for-company trade in central London - it's called "The Gigolos", and it finally emerged on DVD last year. "Pimp", by contrast, offers Danny Dyer trussed up in full bondage gear and a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo from Ben Dover as a judge.

Ho and, indeed, hum.