"...offers nothing new... just re-emphasising every gangster cliché under the sun - unless you are a fan of Tanter's..., Danny Dyer or snooker legend Jimmy White."

"Some journeys are measured by what you sacrifice to get there", is the rather apt tagline for the latest gangster flick, Jack Said, based on Paul Tanter's successful graphic novel. Fledgling directors Lee Basannavar and Michael Tchoubouroff's dark and gritty new film is such a non-descript journey of sorts that it has you questioning the sacrifice of roughly an hour-and-a-half's worth of viewing time. Like a poor man's version of the stylish Sin City, Jack Said does raise initial expectations with the opening black-and-white hostage scenes that give credit to the film-makers' willingness to try interesting angles and design, respectfully in-keeping with the cartoon images in the novel. But transforming the visuals into grainy, washout colour soon after provides little impact or incentive, short of adding to the look and feel of low-budget (almost student) film trying to emulate the drama in its bigger budget brother. In fact, Jack Said may have fared better as a TV feature, and it certainly speaks volumes that the title is going straight to DVD on 5th October, so soon after its theatrical run. --------

Any whiff of the reported 'non-stop action' is greatly reduced by the stilted performances from some of cast. Whether the disjointed editing in some of the shoot-out scenes is intentional is unclear, but the result is nevertheless unsatisfying. Although Simon Phillips as anti-hero and undercover cop Jack Adleth is genuinely convincingly as a man of the law who catapults himself in no-man's-land, after some of his vicious undercover actions leave him without a side to bat for, the disappointment is TV's Bad Girls' Ashlie Walker as the sexy, raven-haired vixen and psychotic daughter, Natalie, of crime boss, The Guv'nor (hilariously voiced by the gravely tones of David Hahn, with footage of the late Mike Reid). Walker is undoubtedly well cast, given her prison-drama credentials, and has all the panache of a vengeful babe set to destroy 'Daddy', but she never quite hits the mark in malice terms, making her character far more of a caricature of ridicule than one to be seriously messed with. Again, intentional or otherwise, it is hard to tell without prior knowledge of the source. ----------

Mention 'Brit gangster flick' and Danny Dyer leaps to mind. The cockney 'sparra' and cheeky chappie from Canning Town flies in here, swagger in tow, but with a more mature edge to his usual boyish demeanour, as his character, Nathan, is burdened with family responsibilities. That said, as in his other new gangster release, Dead Man Running, Dyer provides the support to Phillips' character, although having the last laugh and stealing the limelight from the lesser known actors in a final shoot-out. Well, he's had a lot of practice, hasn't he? -------

Jack Said: worth adding to the 'gangster must-see films of 2009' cinema list, as it stands? In all honestly, probably not as it offers nothing new to the well-trodden genre, just re-emphasising every gangster cliché under the sun - unless you are a fan of Tanter's graphic novel series, Danny Dyer or snooker legend Jimmy White who has a small part. But Basannavar and Tchoubouroff have pulled off a fairly entertaining TV feature, which begs the question; perhaps this film was punching way above itself and should only ever have been a small-screen experience? --------

Synopsis -----

Nathan (Dyer) is a member of a criminal gang headed by the notorious Guv'nor (and his psychotic daughter Natalie (Walker)). He befriends fellow gang member Jack Adleth (Phillips) who, unbeknownst to Nathan, is an undercover police officer. Nathan harbours a secret too and when he steals from the gangster family and goes underground he trusts Jack to look after his sister Erin (Rita Ramnani). Inheriting Nathan's role in the gang, Jack must now walk a fine line between his duty as a police officer and what is required of him by Natalie. As he falls in love with Erin, the lines between his real and assumed identities begin to blur and his conscience and loyalty are put to the test. A tragedy seems inevitable and when it comes, Jack must regroup and then mete out his own brand of justice, fuelled by revenge, on the streets of Amsterdam. ---------

Film Facts ---------

Official site: http://www.jacksaid.co.uk/

UK Release Date: 25th September 2009

Directors: Lee Basannavar and Michael Tchoubouroff

Writers: Piers Pereira, Paul Tanter (graphic novel)

Cast: Danny Dyer ('Nathan'), Simon Phillips ('Jack Adleth'), Ashlie Walker ('Natalie'), Terry Stone ('The Fixer'), David O'Hara ('The Boss'), Rita Ramnani ('Erin'), Julian Lee ('Dominique'), Rebecca Keatley ('Natasha'), Christopher Fosh ('Dave'), Steven Lawson ('Ozzy'), David Hahn ('Guv'nor' (voice)), Mike Reid ('The Guv'nor' (archive footage)), Daniel Roberts ('Messenger'), Jimmy White ('Vic Lee')

Distributor: Optimum Releasing

Certificate: 18

Run-time: 100 mins

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