The Crooked Man

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

Harry Fielding (Ross Kemp) is an Ol' Blue Eyes (Frank Sinatra,for the uninitiated) loving investigative photographer who has been assigned by his shady looking boss Hamilton (Liam Cunningham) to take compromising photos of a young woman.What he finds is that she is having an affair with a married businessman by the name of Douglas Jenner (Rupert Frazer) who,during a row,murders her.With the focus now on Jenner and not the young woman,matters are now more complicated than anticipated.But the heat is really turned up when the daughter of a mutual acquaintance of his by the name of Hannah (Mei Ling) gets herself involved.Harry then finds himself up to his neck in it,embroiled in more evil goings-on than he ever could have imagined...

This is a well written,thrilling TV vehicle for Kemp,who,it has to be said,has matured immensely as an actor,not trying too hard and overacting as much as he sometimes used to,and,in turn,bringing a more believable air of realism to the lead role,and carrying the film perfectly.The supporting cast are perfectly watchable as well,with Cunningham eerily convincing as the never-entirely-trust worthy man at the top and Frazer giving a good turn as the man in a position he can't escape.

The story is never predictable and is full of interesting and exciting twists and turns.Some may perhaps find it a little confusing at times,but maybe they aren't paying attention closely enough.

Admittently,it is a little implausible at times,with some glaring plot holes to be noticed here and there,but overall,it's solidly entertaining stuff.And Kemp is the absolute business.***