A scene from crime drama Ill Manors.
A gritty, smack-in-the-face crime drama marks the directorial debut of Ben Drew, a British rapper (under the alias Plan B) who seemingly admires Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino.
Using a mix of untrained and trained actors, the film interweaves the lives of desperate characters in London's druggy underbelly, while offering commentary on the causes of the social plight.
The ambitious Ill Manors lacks a bit in the charisma and entertainment departments, but makes up for it with a grimy intensity.
Brad Wheeler