106 reviews
I completely disagree with the vast majority of reviewers so far, this was a great film. Granted, it may be similar to other films of its genre, but the 80s settings were meticulous in my view. Spanish Guardia Civil with their feared (now banned) tri-corn hats, 80s cars, definitely NOT the modern Malaga airport, and the fashions and language used.
I left Cineworld feeling exhilarated - great soundtrack and good plot. I would recommend this film to anybody, Nick Love has done it again after the superb Football Factory. How can anybody call Danny Dyer Z-List?? Granted, he may be no Michael Douglas, but just because he is young, and obviously has a talent for the types of part he tends to play in movies, does not make him a bad actor at all, in fact, i think the exact opposite.
I will definitely be pre-ordering the DVD.
I left Cineworld feeling exhilarated - great soundtrack and good plot. I would recommend this film to anybody, Nick Love has done it again after the superb Football Factory. How can anybody call Danny Dyer Z-List?? Granted, he may be no Michael Douglas, but just because he is young, and obviously has a talent for the types of part he tends to play in movies, does not make him a bad actor at all, in fact, i think the exact opposite.
I will definitely be pre-ordering the DVD.
- gogogoadam
- Sep 2, 2005
- Permalink
Thatcher's 1980s heralded a new Britain where anything was possible opportunities for undreamed-of wealth side by side with the emergence of beggars on the streets, and riots from unemployment and racial tension. 'Our Kid Frankie' (played by Danny Dyer) wants to 'be somebody' and not end up like his dad, so he does a little delivery job to 'Playboy Charlie' in Spain and gets hired as a driver at Charlie's lucrative nightclub.
Nightclub owners have a glamour appeal often shared by politicians, and this was particularly seductive in the 80s. Around Charlie, everything just 'happens' you are out having a good time and he is the person who makes it all possible effortlessly and continuously. 'Welcome to the pleasure dome,' croons the iconic pop song of the day.
From here on in, The Business is almost an homage to the decade. A scene on Charlie's boat who is "so cool his bed makes itself in the morning" - recalls the famous Rio video by Duran Duran. Fashions, cars, dialect and attitudes are all mimicked with loving precision. Alan Durant once criticized music videos (which began in the 80s) for their tendency to glittery escapism, musical portraiture, and fixing the "currencies of sounds". Charlie fixes the currency of the world around him, particularly the currencies of crime, women and drugs, the three things Frankie's father had told him to avoid. But what else is there?
Soon they meet up with Charlie's partner Sammy, who is "so hard even his nightmares are afraid of him." Sammy is the financial brains of the operation and his hobbies include a jealous obsession with his girlfriend Carly, and also killing people. The fact that Charlie largely keeps him under control not only maintains the light-hearted roller-coaster, neon-lit feelgood factor, but sets it apart from films like Sexy Beast where the grandstanding stars give in to their characters' nastiness rather more readily. The undercurrent of criminal activity, just as in real nightclubs, is one of those things you speak about as little as possible, and always second in conversation to the finer things of life, such as the latest cocktail or trendiest clothes. Naturally things tend to go up or down rather than stay still, and even though Charlie manages to buy off the local mayor, things occasionally get a bit nasty. The skewered head scene is particularly liable to spoil the taste of that glass of Bollinger.
Like the world it portrays, The Business can be criticised as superficial and derivative, but it accurately depicts the headstrong, cheesy, glamour of the 80s and both glamorises and exposes the drug dealing high-life. My guess is it will either turn you off in the first ten minutes or carry you along with an adrenalin rush of New Wave dance anthems and snappy one-liners. The slangy witticisms are so consistent, as is every other aspect of this blood, sex and smarm soaked poolside party of a movie, that you may just decide to let go and snort a full line of it as you identify with personalities you'd never dare to in real life.
The 80s had a self-confident brashness guiding how people presented and expressed themselves, embracing or rejecting the new political and social divides. The Marbella look was in vogue Hugh Heffner, Bunny Girls and pop stars. Now it looks dated and a bit tacky. But have we learnt? If we could view ourselves now from 20 years hence would we cringe at how prevailing trends suck us in? Even the relatively 'normal' gangsters wives in The Business seem hoodwinked to accept the status quo unquestioningly. The pervasive ideologies of our society are often invisible except in retrospect.
Love it or hate it, The Business confronts us with bygone clichés many would prefer to forget, but on its own terms it's a devil-may-care joyride of a movie slide the Ray Bans back and get hammered on it.
Nightclub owners have a glamour appeal often shared by politicians, and this was particularly seductive in the 80s. Around Charlie, everything just 'happens' you are out having a good time and he is the person who makes it all possible effortlessly and continuously. 'Welcome to the pleasure dome,' croons the iconic pop song of the day.
From here on in, The Business is almost an homage to the decade. A scene on Charlie's boat who is "so cool his bed makes itself in the morning" - recalls the famous Rio video by Duran Duran. Fashions, cars, dialect and attitudes are all mimicked with loving precision. Alan Durant once criticized music videos (which began in the 80s) for their tendency to glittery escapism, musical portraiture, and fixing the "currencies of sounds". Charlie fixes the currency of the world around him, particularly the currencies of crime, women and drugs, the three things Frankie's father had told him to avoid. But what else is there?
Soon they meet up with Charlie's partner Sammy, who is "so hard even his nightmares are afraid of him." Sammy is the financial brains of the operation and his hobbies include a jealous obsession with his girlfriend Carly, and also killing people. The fact that Charlie largely keeps him under control not only maintains the light-hearted roller-coaster, neon-lit feelgood factor, but sets it apart from films like Sexy Beast where the grandstanding stars give in to their characters' nastiness rather more readily. The undercurrent of criminal activity, just as in real nightclubs, is one of those things you speak about as little as possible, and always second in conversation to the finer things of life, such as the latest cocktail or trendiest clothes. Naturally things tend to go up or down rather than stay still, and even though Charlie manages to buy off the local mayor, things occasionally get a bit nasty. The skewered head scene is particularly liable to spoil the taste of that glass of Bollinger.
Like the world it portrays, The Business can be criticised as superficial and derivative, but it accurately depicts the headstrong, cheesy, glamour of the 80s and both glamorises and exposes the drug dealing high-life. My guess is it will either turn you off in the first ten minutes or carry you along with an adrenalin rush of New Wave dance anthems and snappy one-liners. The slangy witticisms are so consistent, as is every other aspect of this blood, sex and smarm soaked poolside party of a movie, that you may just decide to let go and snort a full line of it as you identify with personalities you'd never dare to in real life.
The 80s had a self-confident brashness guiding how people presented and expressed themselves, embracing or rejecting the new political and social divides. The Marbella look was in vogue Hugh Heffner, Bunny Girls and pop stars. Now it looks dated and a bit tacky. But have we learnt? If we could view ourselves now from 20 years hence would we cringe at how prevailing trends suck us in? Even the relatively 'normal' gangsters wives in The Business seem hoodwinked to accept the status quo unquestioningly. The pervasive ideologies of our society are often invisible except in retrospect.
Love it or hate it, The Business confronts us with bygone clichés many would prefer to forget, but on its own terms it's a devil-may-care joyride of a movie slide the Ray Bans back and get hammered on it.
- Chris_Docker
- Sep 6, 2005
- Permalink
This is an OK gangster romp, very English, and not sure if it will translate well across the Atlantic.
Set in Margaret Thatcher's 80s, the storyline is pretty much the same as every other Gangster movie. Someone with nothing, works their way up the food chain, only to come crashing down again. Frankie starts out as a waster in South London, and becomes a big player in Spain's Costa Del Sol.
The location, costume, soundtrack and cars are fantastic, really transporting you back to the 1980s, but there are a few duff performances thrown in from some of the actors.
The are a few good lines and quotes in there, but nothing different from Nick Love's previous film, The Football Factory. Basically it is Football Factory in the sun.
It was enjoyable, but pales in comparison to something like GoodFellas.
Set in Margaret Thatcher's 80s, the storyline is pretty much the same as every other Gangster movie. Someone with nothing, works their way up the food chain, only to come crashing down again. Frankie starts out as a waster in South London, and becomes a big player in Spain's Costa Del Sol.
The location, costume, soundtrack and cars are fantastic, really transporting you back to the 1980s, but there are a few duff performances thrown in from some of the actors.
The are a few good lines and quotes in there, but nothing different from Nick Love's previous film, The Football Factory. Basically it is Football Factory in the sun.
It was enjoyable, but pales in comparison to something like GoodFellas.
- dj_taz_099
- Sep 4, 2005
- Permalink
Frankie is just a typical South London chav (or whatever they were called back then) until he runs an errand to the south of Spain for a local gangster. He delivers a bag to Charlie in the Costa del Crime and gets taken on as his driven. As time goes by Frankie becomes more than just "the kid Frankie" and this continues even when Charlie's violently irrational partner Sam gets back on the scene. However as the cocaine high of the 80's comes, the risks of his criminal live come all the realer to Frankie.
Clearly aiming to be some sort of "Costa del Goodfellas" story, Nick Love's film is a very by-the-numbers sort of affair that relies too much on the superficial things while forgetting things like characters and narrative. The storyline is very basic and it is all pretty obvious what the arch of the story will be, if not the exact detail. Love has put more effort into capturing the feel of the 1980's which, in fairness he does pretty well thanks to his set and costume people as well as a constant pop music soundtrack. This is all well and good and the story itself moves forward with this style as its driver but it doesn't really have much going on below the surface in terms of character.
Of course it doesn't really help that some of the performances are weak. Dyer does his usual cockney geezer thing and does change across the film (albeit in a basic way) but his narration is terrible. It feels like he is just reading the words and certainly isn't delivering them with any sense of who is character is or with any sense of emotion or understanding of the story he is telling. Hassan is a solid presence and actually does well with his character in the later stages of the film. Bell is obvious but OK while Chapman isn't half as sexy as she clearly has been told she is.
Overall then a fairly so-so British film that looks "the business" in regards the period and 80's gimmicks but really doesn't have much else going for. Maybe worth a look though if your expectations are reasonably low.
Clearly aiming to be some sort of "Costa del Goodfellas" story, Nick Love's film is a very by-the-numbers sort of affair that relies too much on the superficial things while forgetting things like characters and narrative. The storyline is very basic and it is all pretty obvious what the arch of the story will be, if not the exact detail. Love has put more effort into capturing the feel of the 1980's which, in fairness he does pretty well thanks to his set and costume people as well as a constant pop music soundtrack. This is all well and good and the story itself moves forward with this style as its driver but it doesn't really have much going on below the surface in terms of character.
Of course it doesn't really help that some of the performances are weak. Dyer does his usual cockney geezer thing and does change across the film (albeit in a basic way) but his narration is terrible. It feels like he is just reading the words and certainly isn't delivering them with any sense of who is character is or with any sense of emotion or understanding of the story he is telling. Hassan is a solid presence and actually does well with his character in the later stages of the film. Bell is obvious but OK while Chapman isn't half as sexy as she clearly has been told she is.
Overall then a fairly so-so British film that looks "the business" in regards the period and 80's gimmicks but really doesn't have much else going for. Maybe worth a look though if your expectations are reasonably low.
- bob the moo
- Dec 10, 2006
- Permalink
Before i saw this film at the pictures i decided to check out what everyone else thinks of it first - i was disappointed with their reactions but went to see the movie anyway. I pleasantly surprised. This film doesn't claim to the blockbuster of the year nor does it contain the sparkle and polish of snatch and lock stock. What it does do however is provide an amusing and gripping view of the rise and fall of an 80s wannabe gangster. To anyone outside of the UK this film may seem abit alien, but there are enough twists, turns and cheeky slang to keep you amused throughout. Just watch it don't take it too seriously and make up your own mind.
(Frankie knocks on Sammys door) Sammy Answers: "did anyone order a c***?"
(Frankie knocks on Sammys door) Sammy Answers: "did anyone order a c***?"
Rocket by a fine soundtrack, the story of a British gang, that has to leave England after a psychotic member screw up a robbery, they move on to a sunny Spain, there they are a successful on marijuana, supplying the England, then show up the newcomer Frankie, the leader Charlie sympathize with the boy, causing jealous on the troublemaker Sammy, moreover his beauty wife has an slight interest on the boy, the business is going up, the Mayor of the city allowed just marijuana and forbid cocaine, but due the cocaine has strong profits, they face the Major, average picture display to us the raise and fall of a powerful drug dealer, women, money and betrayal, when the things going down, just interesting, but nothing fresh!!!
Resume:
First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7
Resume:
First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7
- elo-equipamentos
- Jul 31, 2019
- Permalink
I can't get enough of gangsters . I saw GOODFELLAS for the 20th billionth time last week and I bought THE DEPARTED on DVD yesterday so earlier tonight I sat down to watch Nick Love's much hyped - At least much hyped by Film Four - gangster movie THE BUSINESS
Did I say I couldn't get enough of gangsters ? Perhaps what I meant to say was I can't get enough of Scorsese because I got the impression that Nick Love was trying to emulate Scorsese's style and that is fatal for any director . Like GOODFELLAS and several other Scorsese classics the musical soundtrack is very important but for some reason Love seems to have thrown as many pop songs as possible into the mix . It's mentioned that towards the end of the story that it's 1987 with much of the narrative taking place before this , but the 80s tracks seem to be placed without any thought being put into their appropriate place within the chronology
The story itself is similar to a Scorsese film in that it's male orientated and misogynistic . Only difference is that the female characters are central to the plot in the Scorsese universe while in THE BUSINESS they seem to exist to just so to set an amusing scene towards the end where Frankie has to earn some money and one can't help thinking perhaps Love should have concentrated on a style of his own and put more thought into his own screenplay or perhaps even have directed a story written by somebody else therefore this audience member wouldn't have structuralist theories while watching a Nick Love movie
As for the cast I do remember writing in my review of BORSTAL BOY that Danny Dyer is an actor who could become a big name and I still stick by that but it's obvious he's rather unconvincing as a big hard gangster . I also couldn't help noticing that Camille Coduri and Linda Henry seem to be playing the same characters ( Though far more foul mouthed ) that they play in DOCTOR WHO and EASTENDERS respectively but as I said their characters are woefully underdeveloped so perhaps I shouldn't blame the actresses
THE BUSINESS is loud , violent and foul mouthed but most of all disappointing . Like OUTLAW the screenplay needed more work on it and perhaps the next film Love makes has a stronger producer who wants to find out like this audience member if he has an idiosyncratic style of his own
Did I say I couldn't get enough of gangsters ? Perhaps what I meant to say was I can't get enough of Scorsese because I got the impression that Nick Love was trying to emulate Scorsese's style and that is fatal for any director . Like GOODFELLAS and several other Scorsese classics the musical soundtrack is very important but for some reason Love seems to have thrown as many pop songs as possible into the mix . It's mentioned that towards the end of the story that it's 1987 with much of the narrative taking place before this , but the 80s tracks seem to be placed without any thought being put into their appropriate place within the chronology
The story itself is similar to a Scorsese film in that it's male orientated and misogynistic . Only difference is that the female characters are central to the plot in the Scorsese universe while in THE BUSINESS they seem to exist to just so to set an amusing scene towards the end where Frankie has to earn some money and one can't help thinking perhaps Love should have concentrated on a style of his own and put more thought into his own screenplay or perhaps even have directed a story written by somebody else therefore this audience member wouldn't have structuralist theories while watching a Nick Love movie
As for the cast I do remember writing in my review of BORSTAL BOY that Danny Dyer is an actor who could become a big name and I still stick by that but it's obvious he's rather unconvincing as a big hard gangster . I also couldn't help noticing that Camille Coduri and Linda Henry seem to be playing the same characters ( Though far more foul mouthed ) that they play in DOCTOR WHO and EASTENDERS respectively but as I said their characters are woefully underdeveloped so perhaps I shouldn't blame the actresses
THE BUSINESS is loud , violent and foul mouthed but most of all disappointing . Like OUTLAW the screenplay needed more work on it and perhaps the next film Love makes has a stronger producer who wants to find out like this audience member if he has an idiosyncratic style of his own
- Theo Robertson
- Mar 21, 2007
- Permalink
I love Nick Love movies. Would really like him to make a big budget movie. I think he's proved his ability as a film maker and needs to be given the chance on the big stage. As a stand alone film i really enjoyed it. I felt the film lost something as it went on, and the format was very similar to The Football Factory, maybe that's just Nicks style. I loved the Love/Dyer commentary routine on the football factory and they were back in full flight again, brilliant. I think for a film that cost 2 million its a gem, and to put it up against other big budget movies of the the same genre is a little unfair. Looking forward to the next
I enjoyed this film. Some lines or scenes did make me cringe but only because those guys were really like that then. A bit like watching David Brent. The actors may have been Z grade but that just made it all the more real for me. It was like watching a slice of 80's small time hood life. If it had been slick with a Brad Pitt or directed by Scorcese it wouldn't have been the same. There is a time and a place for smooth Hollywood polish and its nice to see something that took you back to a time and place when cliché's weren't yet cliché's. The music is exactly what I was listening to back then. They are top 10 hits for a reason. And yes, guilty of track suits as well but walk around any city centre and you still see them, so this couldn't have missed the mark by much. All in all I had a good laugh and yeah, there is far better British made flicks that portray the gangster and drug industry but if you're looking for a small time look at a couple of losers trying to hit it big then this is a little slice of life for you.
- garethheycock
- Sep 2, 2005
- Permalink
The Business tells the tale of a small time wannabe gangster Frankie (Danny Dyer) in the eighties who goes to Spain and hooks up with some bigger (and nastier) gangsters. It's not the most inspiring premise, but it was made (what seems like) long enough ago when Danny Dyer could actually carry a film on his own.
Nowadays it seems like the words 'Danny' and 'Dyer' means a box office turkey in move-going terms, but The Business is an early exception to the now goes-without-saying Dye rule.
The glitzy, sunny Spanish sets, combined with the horrible characters Dyer has to converse with (yes, even more horrible than Dyer himself) and the thumping eighties soundtrack, actually make The Business an enjoyable little British gangster flick. It may not be Goodfellas, but it has a few 'Joe Pesci' moments along the way which will leave you squirming. It may also not be up to the standard of Lock Stock and Snatch, but if you're looking for some hard-nosed entertainment for an hour and a half, you could probably do worse (such as Danny Dyer's more recent films!).
http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/
Nowadays it seems like the words 'Danny' and 'Dyer' means a box office turkey in move-going terms, but The Business is an early exception to the now goes-without-saying Dye rule.
The glitzy, sunny Spanish sets, combined with the horrible characters Dyer has to converse with (yes, even more horrible than Dyer himself) and the thumping eighties soundtrack, actually make The Business an enjoyable little British gangster flick. It may not be Goodfellas, but it has a few 'Joe Pesci' moments along the way which will leave you squirming. It may also not be up to the standard of Lock Stock and Snatch, but if you're looking for some hard-nosed entertainment for an hour and a half, you could probably do worse (such as Danny Dyer's more recent films!).
http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/
- bowmanblue
- May 27, 2014
- Permalink
Classic British gangster film set in Spain. Great dialogue and funny scenes. The third act is a little dark but overall it's an enjoyable film with a great 80's soundtrack.
- elliotjeory
- Jul 24, 2020
- Permalink
This film was very well made. Nick Love using the same style of Direction as in his other work, most notably the Football Factory, managed to keep me entertained throughout! The film set in the Thatcher Era and uses a delicate balance of Humour, Violence and a wicked soundtrack to keep the viewer entertained. However, i feel the Script and Screenplay died out towards the End. The film starts very well and flows nicely, but towards the end of the film the purpose dies out and you find yourself saying 'what next'. The ending wasn't well written and leaves a lot to be answered in the plot, but up until the last 20 minutes this film is very well made! If you've seen Football factory then you know what sort of Film to expect and what sort of performances Danny dyer and Tammer Hassan will put in. I would recommend it as it was thoroughly entertaining but don't expect any Scorsese gangster masterpiece!
- Lebowski85
- Apr 21, 2006
- Permalink
- Mis_Behavin
- Jul 16, 2006
- Permalink
- AlexanderExtazy
- Jul 6, 2015
- Permalink
STAR RATING: ***** The Works **** Just Misses the Mark *** That Little Bit In Between ** Lagging Behind * The Pits
Growing up on council estates in London in the late 70s, Frankie (Danny Dyer) dreams of leaving behind his abusive step-father and the general drudgery of his existence to 'be somebody.' A close relation asks him to be a delivery boy to the Costa del Crime to a night-club owner named Charlie (Tamer Hassan.) Charlie's a cool guy to get in with, and he sees potential in Framkie, a potential that sees them fly high through-out the 80s reeling in the profits from the drugs trade. But, the higher they climb, the harder, they find, they will fall, as rival competitors, Charlie's psychotic former associate and a stunning brunette all throw their own little spanner into the works of their plans.
Football Factory director Nick Love brings a lot of the stars of his previous film (such as Roland Manookian, the one who played Zeberdee) to The Business, his latest project (Dyer even narrates the story with voice-overs just like in TFF!) The only one who appears to be missing is Frank Harper who played Billy Bright (too bad!) And none of them, impressive as the film can be, could be accused of stretching themselves.
The film is just, I don't know, too much like a lot of the other British films we've been seeing lately. It's good that more and more recognition is getting heaped on the British Film Industry, but making the same type of film over and over again isn't making us look too creative with our money.
Love is a fairly new director, but he seems, at a guess, to be modelling himself on his predecessor Guy Ritchie a little too much and I get the impression films like this are going to become his trade mark through-out his career. Dyer and Hassan portray the usual arrogant, foul-mouthed, aggressively spoken cockneys we're used to seeing them play. From looking at interviews with them and seeing the type of roles they're fond of playing, I'm starting to think this is how they'd come across if I were to meet them in real life-I really hope they would not! The supporting cast keep the boat on the Costa floating, but they're really no more than the usual types for this kind of thing.
The film is engagingly told and has a fantastic 80s soundtrack hollering to it's beat, but to be honest, I'm just getting a little bored of seeing this kind of film and I really hope the BFI can start using a bit more imagination. ***
Growing up on council estates in London in the late 70s, Frankie (Danny Dyer) dreams of leaving behind his abusive step-father and the general drudgery of his existence to 'be somebody.' A close relation asks him to be a delivery boy to the Costa del Crime to a night-club owner named Charlie (Tamer Hassan.) Charlie's a cool guy to get in with, and he sees potential in Framkie, a potential that sees them fly high through-out the 80s reeling in the profits from the drugs trade. But, the higher they climb, the harder, they find, they will fall, as rival competitors, Charlie's psychotic former associate and a stunning brunette all throw their own little spanner into the works of their plans.
Football Factory director Nick Love brings a lot of the stars of his previous film (such as Roland Manookian, the one who played Zeberdee) to The Business, his latest project (Dyer even narrates the story with voice-overs just like in TFF!) The only one who appears to be missing is Frank Harper who played Billy Bright (too bad!) And none of them, impressive as the film can be, could be accused of stretching themselves.
The film is just, I don't know, too much like a lot of the other British films we've been seeing lately. It's good that more and more recognition is getting heaped on the British Film Industry, but making the same type of film over and over again isn't making us look too creative with our money.
Love is a fairly new director, but he seems, at a guess, to be modelling himself on his predecessor Guy Ritchie a little too much and I get the impression films like this are going to become his trade mark through-out his career. Dyer and Hassan portray the usual arrogant, foul-mouthed, aggressively spoken cockneys we're used to seeing them play. From looking at interviews with them and seeing the type of roles they're fond of playing, I'm starting to think this is how they'd come across if I were to meet them in real life-I really hope they would not! The supporting cast keep the boat on the Costa floating, but they're really no more than the usual types for this kind of thing.
The film is engagingly told and has a fantastic 80s soundtrack hollering to it's beat, but to be honest, I'm just getting a little bored of seeing this kind of film and I really hope the BFI can start using a bit more imagination. ***
- wellthatswhatithinkanyway
- Oct 2, 2005
- Permalink
- viva_la_revolution_8040
- Sep 12, 2005
- Permalink
I found this by mistake and it was a surprisingly good movie, I had never heard of it and I am not familiar of the actors but it was a fun movie to watch.
- info-20462-76952
- Feb 19, 2018
- Permalink
- nickboldrini
- Dec 26, 2018
- Permalink
I loved this film, the music and the costumes, just caught the feel of the 80s and got it spot on.
Yes, none of the actors are that well known, but then in my book thats a good thing, I don't go into the film with any pre conceived ideas.
And yes sometimes the language does cut very close to the bone, but these people are hardened criminals, and its a 18 cert as well, so that should give you some idea of the content.
I say go and see it, and just enjoy yourself and have a few laughs for 2 hours.
And did i mention the sound track, dust off those shell suits and enjoy.
Yes, none of the actors are that well known, but then in my book thats a good thing, I don't go into the film with any pre conceived ideas.
And yes sometimes the language does cut very close to the bone, but these people are hardened criminals, and its a 18 cert as well, so that should give you some idea of the content.
I say go and see it, and just enjoy yourself and have a few laughs for 2 hours.
And did i mention the sound track, dust off those shell suits and enjoy.
- paulovey-1
- Sep 3, 2005
- Permalink
This film looks as a personal aspect of 80's drug Traficing on the Costa Del sol. The actors are bad they wear bad clothes, they talk dirt, and the music is cheesy 80s rubbish, The director caught the 80s perfectly bringing all the things you remember (and try to forget) from the 80s to the screen. This is one of the funnest movies i have seen in a while, right from the beginning it starts off as a classic (if a bit cheesy) gangster film. This is more of a realistic look at some small time British gangsters than most British gangster films before, making it a bit grittyer than manny of the British gangster films prior to this. But the thing i liked most about it was It kept me and my friends laughing in the isles from start to end.
- fat_bloater_Dave
- Sep 7, 2005
- Permalink
After finally having seen enough of his father beating his mother, young Frankie takes a bat to his old man and goes on the run. Hooking up with gangster in waiting, Charlie, he finds himself in sunny Spain up to his neck in organised crime. Booze, women and drugs are merely parts of his everyday life, and it's glorious! But will it last forever?
The Business, not only a great and undervalued British punk band, but also a docile and just about average British gangster film. Directed by Nick Love {The Football Factory (2004) and the upcoming The Sweeney (2010)}, The Business could well have been viewed in a better light had it snagged a charismatic leading man and not followed in the wake of Guy Ritchie's Lock/Snatch films and Layer Cake. British gangster films are a tough genre to get right, and here, Love has failed to capitalise on what is his own very competent and potentially entertaining script. Choosing to go down the well trodden lovable rogue route instead of given some testicles to these supposedly dangerous characters, is a big mistake. This characters just come across as toothless dogs kicked out of kennels run by British gangsters from the past.
The casting problems are not, as many would have you believe, with wide-boy Danny Dyer. Dyer does a fine line as a cocky kid up to his neck in it, but grows in confidence and is the picture's one saving grace. As Charlie, and thus asked to carry the film, is Tamer Hassan, and sadly he's not up to the task. Occasionally shouting and waving a gun around is something any actor could have done, there's no real sense of believability with it. It's a shame because Hassan is a very capable actor, but he would be better served sticking to supporting roles, such as his effective turn in Layer Cake. Naturally a film of this type needs a loose cannon, a fierce and fearsome nut case, we don't get one. Eddie Webber's Ronnie is meant to be one, but it just never materialises, it instead comes out like a cardboard cut out job.
This film has some fans, and I would wager that those fans probably give big thumbs up to the likes of Essex Boys as well. But me, and I'm quite forgiving and biased with British films, I can't give this much credence. A truly excellent soundtrack full of 80s swagger and verve, and a likable crafty turn from Danny Dyer apart, it's not one to recommend with confidence. 5/10
The Business, not only a great and undervalued British punk band, but also a docile and just about average British gangster film. Directed by Nick Love {The Football Factory (2004) and the upcoming The Sweeney (2010)}, The Business could well have been viewed in a better light had it snagged a charismatic leading man and not followed in the wake of Guy Ritchie's Lock/Snatch films and Layer Cake. British gangster films are a tough genre to get right, and here, Love has failed to capitalise on what is his own very competent and potentially entertaining script. Choosing to go down the well trodden lovable rogue route instead of given some testicles to these supposedly dangerous characters, is a big mistake. This characters just come across as toothless dogs kicked out of kennels run by British gangsters from the past.
The casting problems are not, as many would have you believe, with wide-boy Danny Dyer. Dyer does a fine line as a cocky kid up to his neck in it, but grows in confidence and is the picture's one saving grace. As Charlie, and thus asked to carry the film, is Tamer Hassan, and sadly he's not up to the task. Occasionally shouting and waving a gun around is something any actor could have done, there's no real sense of believability with it. It's a shame because Hassan is a very capable actor, but he would be better served sticking to supporting roles, such as his effective turn in Layer Cake. Naturally a film of this type needs a loose cannon, a fierce and fearsome nut case, we don't get one. Eddie Webber's Ronnie is meant to be one, but it just never materialises, it instead comes out like a cardboard cut out job.
This film has some fans, and I would wager that those fans probably give big thumbs up to the likes of Essex Boys as well. But me, and I'm quite forgiving and biased with British films, I can't give this much credence. A truly excellent soundtrack full of 80s swagger and verve, and a likable crafty turn from Danny Dyer apart, it's not one to recommend with confidence. 5/10
- hitchcockthelegend
- Apr 28, 2009
- Permalink
If you think Scarface in Spain but with cockneys you're half way there! From the beginning its clear that this is a first rate British film. If your not hooked from the frantic opening then the 80s music will definitely get your attention! The film tells the story of Frankie, a Londoner with no prospects. After he kills his mothers abusive boyfriend he flees to Spain to lie low and so begins his new life. There he is taken in by Charlie, a club owner and local gangster. Frankies now living the high life, but with power comes greed and danger, and you could so easily lose it all...
There really is nothing to fault about this film. I was hooked from start to finish.
There really is nothing to fault about this film. I was hooked from start to finish.
- Marcellas56
- Sep 6, 2005
- Permalink
All in all a good, watchable film with good all round performances but the stand-out performer here is definitely Tamer Hassan as Charlie, the drug-kingpin of Marbella. The Business echoes films like Sexy Beast and the part where Charlie and his goons are shooting at each other (they are wearing bullet-proof vests!!) is very much like the rabbit shoot in Sexy Beast. It is very obvious that The Business was intended to be a British Goodfellas and that is the only failing of the film. It is definitely not the comedy crime flicks that Lock, Stock and Snatch were but that is because The Business is a serious look at the British cocaine epidemic of the excessive eighties and a fictional look at the type of people behind it. Tamer Hassan along with Manish Patel (Triads, Yardies..) is fast becoming a rising star in the British acting scene.
- movieblitz
- Sep 28, 2005
- Permalink