Enjoyable British caper film, reminiscent in spirit to The Italian Job – indeed, it would have made a perfect vehicle for Michael Caine. Come to think of it, Caine at 70-odd would have made a more lively star than Jason Statham, the bald tough-talking former competitive diver who has nonetheless carved out an impressive career for himself as an action hero.
Statham’s alright, I suppose – he does at least look like a crim, and I have nothing but respect with how he’s managed his career (anyone not above playing a small role in Collateral just to work with Michael Mann is alright by me) – you just can’t help wishing for a more engaging lead, especially when the female star is the pretty-especially-in-the-early-70s-fashions-but-not-very-good-actor Saffrom Burrows.
But the period detail is enjoyable, especially that whole early 70s Britain-in-decline-lords-as-MPs-sex-clubs-porn-barons-black-power stuff. It was a time when the country was up the spout but when there was still enough concern about the royal family to stop the cops prosecuting villains and to have the intelligence services arrange an entire bank robbery in order to nab some incriminating photos. Good, solid script that really demonstrates the power of narrative (lots of story). Could have done with a bit more humour – I think it’s in the script but Roger Donaldson’s never been a light director (though he's an excellent one - just not Mr Comedy).
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