Review of The Sweeney (2012) by Dan F — 19 Nov 2012

Despite the occasional sequence where the use of excessive Cockney lingo borders on self-parody, The Sweeney is an entertaining crime thriller. Sure, it acts tougher than it is- the urban edge it strives for is all but lost in cinematic gloss- and the story is riddled with TV crime staples, it's full of good performances and competent direction from Nick Love- something I rarely have to opportunity to say.

Previous films have displayed a right wing working class aggression that feels false and irresponsible ( Outlaw) whereas The Sweeney delivers a more considered, dare I say it, study of that knee jerk outsider mentality that has consequences; not so much of the Old Testament football hooligan mind set that has saturated his previous work.

It takes itself a mite too seriously, but it's a pretty solid effort.