It makes quite a welcomed change to see a 'gangster' film that isn't completely ridden with tacky cockney (or 'mockney') accents and the obligatory cliches that come with this.
It seems that too many have commented on this film for being unrealistic to an extent. The fact that the killer is a hired assassin should allude to the fact that she should be totally unscrupulous in what she does and how she does it. Actress Kendra Torgan employs minimal acting which helps to create a nice air of enigma about herself, and man; she's as hard as nails! She makes a great femme fatale and she is the sort of person who knows just what to do and how to do it: no quibbles, no fuss. She is the true essence of what an assassin should be.
The film works equally well as a black sort of comedy, yet in a rather harrowing sense. To joke about somedoby who has a bullet through their forehead is a classic example of this. The violence portrayed is rather intense and there is no particular lack of bloodshed. The inclusion of a classy score (containing, amongst others, 'Portishead') is also a nice touch.
The story does work rather well...it's not one of the most ingenious ever but it is cleverly composed and does tend to make you pause and think what is going on - this, for me, is always a good thing. The 'masturbation' scene is a good example of this. It is, to quote my title, 'clever'. Just because the film isn't overly complex doesn't mean to say that it is weak in anyway whatsoever. To couple this, it is a stylishly directed piece containing some good, appropriate cinematography; it helps to coincide with the overall ambience of the film itself. It is decidedly slick and polished.
To close, this is a decent British film. It is somewhat of a shame that it never really received the attention that it duly deserves. Perhaps there are still others who are yet to hear it. My advice: try it. For me it provided a great deal more entertainment and 'grit' than any Guy Ritchie film ever could. Hopefully with time, and slightly more attention, this may gain the title of being a 'cult' film.
