Johnny Was is a gritty gangster drama set in the tough city of Brixton, London. Johnny (Vinnie Jones) is trying to escape his violent past by living a simple "quiet life".Johnny Was is a gritty gangster drama set in the tough city of Brixton, London. Johnny (Vinnie Jones) is trying to escape his violent past by living a simple "quiet life".Johnny Was is a gritty gangster drama set in the tough city of Brixton, London. Johnny (Vinnie Jones) is trying to escape his violent past by living a simple "quiet life".