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EIFF 2014: Hyena Review

Hyena

Director: Gerard Johnson

Starring: Peter Ferdinando, Stephen Graham, Neil Maskell, Elisa Lasowski, MyAnna Buring, Richard Dormer, Gordon Brown, Tony Pitts

Certificate: TBC

Running Time: 112 minutes

Synopsis: Good policing doesn’t necessarily mean doing everything by the book. But as the business of crime in London turns to favour the Albanians and Turks, how does a “good” policeman survive?

Gerard Johnson’s HYENA opened the 2014 Edinburgh Film Festival tonight ahead of 12 days of a range of national and international premieres and feature films for festival-goers to enjoy. His previous feature TONY screened at the festival in 2009 to mixed reviews and his latest addition to the crime drama genre will not likely earn him many fans.

A run-of-the-mill plot sees undercover policeman Michael (Peter Ferdinando) sent to investigate the murder of a Turkish drug dealer for which Michael already has connections to the alleged killers, try to help a woman being used as a prostitute in the dealers’ gang and fight being framed for the murder himself all whilst maintaining his status as a ‘good cop’.

His by-the-numbers violence and drug taking make him an unemotional and unpleasant piece of the puzzle; but not abhorrent enough to be painted as a villain. As such, his fate is of little consequence. Stephen Graham, as Michael’s questionable hierarchical figure, is charismatic enough to warrant a mention amongst a string of un-noteworthy good and bad guys and there is a stylish opening to the film, complete with electro soundtrack and a neon nightclub, but this falls by the wayside as the plot is introduced leaving a tone that feels stagnant to watch.

Johnson has made the decision to include several graphic scenes which, without being necessary or particularly well-crafted, stick out and will be remembered for the wrong reasons. As the film ramps up its’ body count in heading towards a finale there is no similar increase in tension or tone leaving the 112 minutes completely one dimensional. The contentious ending leaves little room for Michael to be cast as anything other than truly deplorable by his actions and without any redeeming qualities the audience is left with no-one to side with.

[usr=2] Grim, monotone and wholly unnecessary in parts; HYENA is a forgettable entry in the crime drama film catalogue.

Look out for more news and reviews from EIFF 2014 over the next two weeks as we bring you our festival guide and highlights by clicking here.

Originally from deep in the London suburbs Vicky is now enjoying the novelty of being able to catch a night bus home from anywhere in the city. Her favourite films are anything John Hughes is involved in, SAY ANYTHING and DEAD POETS SOCIETY. Don't mention the rumour she once served cold tea to Robert Webb and Olivia Coleman. Find her on twitter @chafferty

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