A screenwriter any actor would jump to work with,
William Monaghan shot to the scribing A-list following his Oscar win for his magnificent work on Martin Scorseses Best Picture winning remake of Infernal Affairs; The Departed.
London Boulevard, his latest foray into crime fare this time set on our turf, ostensibly is overflowing with talent, and though Monahgans directorial debut is a considerably lesser work than his previous, there is still plenty to applaud in this wincingly brutal albeit uneven film. London Boulevard is released today on
Blu-ray and
DVD. Here is our review... Mitchell (
Colin Farrell) has just been released from prison after a 3-year stint for GBH. Quickly reconnecting with old mate Billy (
Ben Chaplin), he nevertheless rejects his old ways in favour of a cleaner lifestyle, serving as a bodyguard and pap-buffer for the reclusive, constantly hounded actress, Charlotte (
Keira Knightley). However, motivated by the murder of an old friend, Mitch finds himself dragged back into his old life, turning to the hot-tempered Rob Gant (
Ray Winstone) to locate the killers. In this stead, though, he winds up putting just about everyone around him in harms way.
The chief worry about London Boulevard is whether or not Monaghan, an American screenwriter, can encapsulate a convincing London that locals will identify with. Impressively, much like Woody Allens Cassandras Dream (coincidentally also starring Farrell), this intimately-staged drama gathers in the various nooks and crannies of Londons East End while keeping the big picture that is Londons cityscape ever clear, with Canary Wharf and the Gherkin frequently visible in the skyline. Monaghans lingo, likely to disorientate even the most veteran Cockneys, isnt as crassly refined as his work for Scorsese, but it has the same acid tongue, and there are some sure zingers along the way, which the cast rattle through with considerable gusto. Colin Farrell is especially praise-worthy in the lead role of Mitch; pretty enough to invite sympathy yet also tough of nerve and therefore unafraid to get his hands dirty, he is an inspired choice who carries a certain working class charm while still managing to dash in a dinner suit. Knightley, though sparsely placed throughout, emotes well despite her conspicuous absence in the climax, robbing the bloody finale of some vital pathos. Also of note is Ray Winstone, whose venom-filled shouting match with Farrell is the films highlight, and brings both actors dangerously close to popping a vein.
David Thewlis as Charlottes neurotic, drug-addled business manager Jordan, and
Anna Friel as Mitchells wino sister Briony (reminding us that, yes, she is English), meanwhile, make for potent comic relief. The casting of
Sanjeev Bhaskar best known to British audiences as the host of the BBCs The Kumars at No. 42 - as Brionys latest suitor, however, is utterly distracting.
The material is indeed very conventional the love of a good woman turning a thugs heart to mush has been done to death, while Mitch and Billys relationship shallowly echoes Michael and Fredo Corleones, and the mixture of comedy and action is strictly aiming to ape Guy Ritchie but in smartly lessening the focus on the love story (to the point that it comes off as quite expedited and one note), Monaghan instead creates a gripping insight into the citys crime strata. It at times dabbles too often in crime cliches as though written by someone coming off of a Sopranos box-set bender but it is also uncomfortably tense and unsettlingly brutal, having a disturbing lack of concern for the numerous innocents winding up dead as a result of Mitchs predicament. If the intention was to turn the stomach, then the aural design of the films various beatings and stabbings is masterful. London Boulevard is not fresh or original, but it is well-acted, solidly directed, and features a rousing soundtrack. It is thoroughly unpleasant, though; dont expect a happy night out at the pictures. Quality
London Boulevard's video will fill the frame of your HDTV and indeed looks surprisingly spectacular in high-def, boasting a gritty vibrancy in both the day and night-time scenes. Some grain is occasionally visible, yet frankly it just helps accentuate the semi-noirsh tone Monaghan is trying to evoke. Aurally, lots of dialogue-heavy scenes won't exactly give your sound system a run for its money, but the soundtrack - consisting primarily of rock cuts from the 60s and 70s - sounds fantastic. Extras Cast and Crew Interviews (37 minutes) - Largely dry talking head fare featuring a sizable portion of the cast, yet it won't be of much interest to anyone who has seen the film as they essentially just recount the plot. Monaghan chimes in with the most compelling tidbits, discussing his upbringing and what London means to him. Also includes a theatrical trailer and that's your lot. London Boulevard is released
on Blu-ray from today.