Director: Eran Creevy
Starring: James McAvoy, Mark Strong, David Morrissey, Andrea Riseborough
Running Time: 99 Minutes
Certificate: 15
Synopsis: When a notorious criminal is forced to return to London, it gives a detective one last chance to take down the man he’s always been after.
WELCOME TO THE PUNCH opens by placing us back three years, as we’re thrown in a wonderfully framed, blue hue-lit business district. It’s like the spirit of Michael Mann has passed through and left all his halogen light bulbs behind except this isn’t anywhere in the USA, it is London and visually stunning. In some unassigned glass-clad building, a robbery has taken place and four men in leather and gas-masks are leaving their victims behind and heading towards motorbikes to make their getaway.
As any respectable, compact film should, this opening chase sequence really sets the tone for what’s to come –both in the visual and narrative sense. WELCOME TO THE PUNCH doesn’t hold back on impressive set pieces and terrifically realistic shoot-outs, but you sometimes feel like it’s hovering on the edge of being one of those great, high budget BBC-backed thrillers that would also work in two parts, much like SHADOW DANCER. However, it’s encouraging to see UK film funds being used for a brooding story, with troubled-yet-suave characters exploring a very specific world.
You’ll find one or two slightly stretched out scenes but the dark humour resonates well in the Punch world and despite one brilliant scene later on, I felt it could have done with a bit more light relief, especially as when it’s implemented it works well and you could feel the collective relief.
James McAvoy gets to be a scarred, addicted and obsessive city cop but his London-drawl was a little distracting and although he still gives an honourable performance, it’s not fully convincing. However, Mark Strong plays his tough criminal-with-a-conscience quite perfectly and loves a good stare across the lens, whilst support from upcoming star Andrea Riseborough is respectable but she’s maybe a little underused. There should also be a special nod towards the man who steals every scene he’s in and it’s the unshakable Peter Mullan, who brings a firm focus to the film and exudes confidence and charisma.
WELCOME TO THE PUNCH is stylish and sophisticated, with some beautiful cinematography that sets up London into a world we’ve not seen before. It doesn’t exactly shock in the narrative sense, but all involved give solid and committed performances. This deserves your attention as Director Eran Creevy bravely sets up a new structure for UK thrillers; this one is certainly on the right track and a very artistic and detailed one at that.
WELCOME TO THE PUNCH opens in the UK on March 15th and in the USA on March 27th.
Dan loves writing, film, music and photography. Originally from Devon, he did London for 4 years and now resides in Exeter. He also has a mild obsession with squirrels and cake. The latter being more of a hobby. Favourite movies include HIGH FIDELITY, ALMOST FAMOUS, ROXANNE, GOOD WILL HUNTING, JURASSIC PARK, too many Steve Martin films and Nolan's BATMAN universe. He can also be found on www.twitter.com/danbullock
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