Johnny Was (2006)

An aging Vinnie Jones stars as a former convict and IRA-type terrorist keeping a low profile after getting out of prison. His past catches up with him in the form of Patrick Bergen, an old terrorist crony who has also gotten out of prison and is looking for some action when he should be retired and gone fishing. The two stumble across a low-level drug lord, nicely played by Eriq LaSalle, and the three make some half-baked plans that eventually come to naught, thanks to the two-timing and still deadly Bergen. While there are some action scenes, mainly having to do with Belfast in the 1970s, the movie is largely a talker and character study of people either trying to do the right thing -- or maybe not. A great surprise ending. For adults only.

I saw this movie on offer for £2.99 in a supermarket, and saw that the stars were Vinnie Jones, Lennox Lewis and Samantha Mumba. I bought it because I had a free afternoon and thought it would be laugh out loud awful.And to some extent - yes this could be called a bad movie - if you take it seriously. But films like this arn't suppose to be taken seriously in the same way that spiderman and the matrix aren't "serious" movies.If you take the film as it is (an enjoyable, perhaps tongue in cheek film) then it is very good. Lenox Lewis' casting adds to the understated comedy in the film.Before anyone has a go at this review, I am British I live in London and I don't particularly enjoy reggae - but this film is still enjoyable and worth a watch if you can pick it up for a bargain like I did.

I used to live in SW9 so it was good to see some of the market and shops - blakker dread musik!!! The cast is interesting and I can see why it won a lot of festival awards - Vinnie Jones is more low key than usual, though Patrick Bergin who was so good in Sleeping with the Enemy makes up for him by playing it over the top.I don't agree with the guy who says the accents were no good. I think the film was trying to say something about different identities, black white, Irish and British. Most of them seemed to be using their own accents - Bergin and Mumba are Irish, Jones and Daltrey (who has a small part but who was very good as a gang boss) are both playing London Irish. The only accent that was a surprise to me was ER's Eric La Salle, and I thought his was pretty good - he was playing a Londoner pretending to be a yardie.The only thing I didn't like about the movie were that the train station didn't look like anywhere in central London, but I forgive that because the story was good and the reggae soundtrack was the best I've heard, though a pity they did not have Johnny Was by Bob Marley. A good DVD.

Just saw this slightly mad little movie at Toronto and LOVED it.It has one foot in B Movie land and the other in smart thriller. The soundtrack is incredible if you like reggae and dance music.It reminded me a bit of Lock Stock (but with more brains) and a bit of Ronin (but less slick). About London-Irish gangster Vinnie trying to get out of the life but ending up at war in London with Jamaican drug gang and his former Irish mates. I liked the fact that there were good guys and both guys on every side in this free for all.Acting-wise Vinnie Jones is very strong. Patrick Bergin plays an over the top but somehow likable psycho. Roger Daltry is good, but needed a few more scenes to get going. And Lennox Lewis is great "Beamin owt to Babylon" as a Rastafarian DJ and unofficial king of the neighborhood.Anyone expecting some great life-changing experience should stay at home, but anyone with a pulse who likes little action/thriller movies with something to say, with a bit of heart and some grit, should take a look. I think it is due out in the next few weeks on DVD in US anyway.