The Business (2005)
During the '80s, a young man named Frankie dreams of escaping London's South East region, and his mother's thug of a boyfriend gives him just the opportunity. After beating up the abusive beau, Frankie runs off to Spain, where he lands a job delivering a package to the dapper Playboy Charlie, a gangster who takes him under his wing. Working as Charlie's driver, Frankie is immersed in a world of fast cars and pretty women -- but all the excess could be his undoing.
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I watched this again for the 4th or 5th time the other night and enjoyed it so much I thought I'd have a look at the reviews on here. Some of the negative ones are hilarious to be honest.I don't think Nick Love ever set out for this to be that serious, it's not trying to be Good fellas or even Lock-stock, it's a completely different thing. it's much more in the vein of Sexy Beast if anything. He's certainly not trying to be Scorsese.It's just pure entertainment, the script is great, hilarious lines throughout, right from when Frankie hits Spain. Danny Dyer and Tamar Hussan are excellent. Especially Tamar who plays the Essex wide boy to a T. Well done that lad. When his missus gives him an earful whilst out shopping is hilarious. Anyone who is over 45 and had a connection with Essex will understand why. Tamar's reaction in the car to it is also brilliant and these are the things that make this film, the tiny details.Ronnie is a bit stiff but that doesn't matter, Geoff Bell and Georgina Chapman are also excellent (she) definitely giving Uma Thurman a run for her money.It's just enthralling to watch backed up by a brilliant 80s soundtrack and a quick pace. Anyone who reviews this and says it doesn't match up to spain at that time or that the characters are unbelievable has obviously never been around people like that at that time in that place.Yes, loads of it is far-fetched - but it's a film, it's a funny film, it's meant to be.If you want a chilled night and a laugh just watch it, and don't take it too seriously. One other thing to note is that all those who took the mick out of Danny Dyer back in the day, then this shows that given the right role, he is rather good.
Another British gangster flick filled with more cockneys than a south east cafe, Nick Love is at it again like his best mate Ritchie and to be fair to him he does make a solid flick.All the usual suspects are back again from Love's previous film to portray your common bunch of English criminals up to no good but this time they are all on the continent in Spain living it up with booze, drugs, sand n sex. Its pretty much exactly what Spain is really like around the coast, full of Brit chavs and Brits with money all fat and tanned looking like Del Trotter.Nothing new to see here plot wise, its all about drug dealing, beating people up and the odd double cross but it is made and directed well looking spot on for its 80's setting. Love is a pro at getting that 80's look like his other film 'The Firm' and this film is probably his best so far, they all are cockney based plots of course.Not too different from 'Layer Cake' but not as good, close but this came one year too late basically and was beaten to the punch by Vaughn's film. On the plus side the film has a great soundtrack but you do get the impression Love has crammed in as many classic 80's tunes as possible just to get a good soundtrack deal for sales.5/10
Frankie, a young lad on the run from the ghetto of South London, plans his escape and the beginnings of a new life in sunny Costa Del Sol. With nothing but cash stashed in his luggage he heads off, and has no idea that this sum of money will catapult him into the seductive world of ex-gangster Charlie. Before he knows it Frankie's got more then he bargained for - he's one of Charlie's gang and the world of organised crime......You know from looking at the one sheet if you will like this movie or not. Danny Dyer and the quote, from the director of the football factory. Some people would have balked at the idea of seeing this movie.But then some people deny themselves a guilty pleasure, because they want to look/sound more intelligent than they. Well you go and sit in Costa coffee with your copy if the telegraph and be bored, I'll get entertained for ninety minutes.And the film is a pleasure to watch. Its total fluff from beginning to end, but the music is brilliant, the sets and costumes spot on, and Dyer puts in a decent performance.It's the old age story of a boy wanting to be somebody,gets a chance, lives the high-life a bit, and then loses its all. Plain and simple.If you know the films of Nick Love, and Dyer and Hassan's movie, you'll know the film inside out before even opening the seal on the Blu Ray.It looks great, and even though it is a load of old cobblers owing a lot to Goodfellas, Scarface, and many other crime movies, owe yourself a bit of pleasure.Welcome to the pleasuredome......
Lots of things in this film are good; it's well acted (with one or two exceptions), directed, written, edited and shot; it shows the very unattractive world in the Costa Del Crime in Spain – maybe Malaga but who knows; nobody has any taste and they talk and dress like Chavs or pikeys – you take your pick. But the problem I have with it is its morality; there are a few incidents in this movie where women really get beaten up; the opening scene, for example eventually reveals a really savage beating; maybe about ten or fifteen hard punches and then when the girl moves another one to put her to sleep; maybe permanently. If these kind of things happen in a movie they should be resolved with the instigator getting his comeuppance – not in this film and I don't know why. The film has a great 70s/80s sound track but skip it!