A Violent Man

When I first read the synopsis I thought this would be another cheaply made prison B-movie, with tons of macho cliches. None of that though.

The good: seriously good acting performances by all actors involved, but especially the leading actor is quite impressive to watch.

More good: we only get to see the inside of the dark prison cells, but despite these small and claustrophobic prison cells, there is still lots of great photography to be seen, underscored with a decent soundtrack. I hadnt expected these kind of qualities in such a low budget movie.

Not any bad? Well, this story is simply too bleak and depressing to my likings. This movie will never get popular for that very reason, but I aint saying it is a bad movie because of that. Not at all.

One thing was bugging me though, because there is a lack in dramatic development in the story, because there simply is not any sort of gripping storyline, which could have kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. There was only more of the same bleak and depressing scenes of prison life, minute after minute... Understandable of course, because repetitious, depressing lving conditions is what real prison life is about, but movie making isnt. Kinda missed opportunity, to make this movie rise beyond what it is effectively now: a hardhitting, depressing portrait of the destructive prison conditions.

Well acted though. And impressively portrayed. But I guess only suited for those who can stumach such a bleak and depressing story...

Its sad to see that great movies and outstanding acting dont get high scores anymore.

Anyway.... This movie is a 1 room story. That in itself is hard to do then theres the small team and low budget. But the skill of the makers and acting made for a great film.....I swear i sound like I work for them but I dont. I just like the theatre and watching a good play...which by the way isnt much more thana cinema ticket.

But watching a theatre production gives you a respect for the story teller and acting to tell a huge story and off shoots of that story all from one stage...or room in this case, and to pull it off. And I think that gives me a respect and understanding for the work put into this film.

Not perfect but really well done and acting is outstanding. I believed everyone was who they portrayed ...some hollywood A listers could learn a thing or two.

Story telling 8 acting 10 score 7.

A quiet, but dangerous lifer shares a cell with a new young inmate, which he develops a liking to. Its set in a violent prison and as the film progresses, they both fend off rival gangs whilst looking out for one another.

I can't see it winning any major awards anytime soon, but I did enjoy it, due to how well the script and actors where. If got a couple of hours spare, I'd recommend it, if your into gritty prison dramas.

To be fair, there's a bit more to it than that, and Fairbrass is a slightly different character. Here he spends a lot of time contemplating on what it means to be a man that feels nothing. When he's in company of others there's usually fights breaking out or words of wisdom on how to survive. Overall it's an okay film, it never really builds up tension to dramatic key points though. The directing is all over the place, some good, some not so. The music often doesn't work.

I said else where that I thought Craig Fairbrass had a decent performance in him if he got right role and this might be it. OK he's not going to turn up in a Merchant Ivory type offering any time soon but in this role he was very believable and believable without being over the top.

This is a movie with a serious message and I am worried that the kind of men it is trying to reach will simply get off on the violence and the teenage boy type machismo that seems to keep them in an extended childhood. I guess it's about choices really, choices and what you're willing to sacrifice in order to carry on living like an animal with no conscience.