ILL MANORS (2012)

Written & Directed By: Ben Drew (Plan B) 
Cinematography By: Gary Shaw 
Editor: Farrah Drabu, David Freeman, Sotira Kyriacou & Hugh Williams 

Cast: Riz Ahmed, Ed Skrein, Lee Allen, Andrew Akello, Eloise Smyth, Natalie Press, Jo Hartley 

The lives of four drug dealers, one user and two prostitutes and so much more.

This is an inventive directorial debut from Ben Drew otherwise known as British rapper/singer Plan B. Who also happens to be a rapping narrator who tells of characters paths and fates. Which makes since as he wrote directed and did the soundtrack. Which makes it almost seem like a film based on an album. Literally fleshing out the songs, but the film feels stronger then that and feels more like a film. Where the soundtrack becomes secondary. As it doesn’t feel like a film just of actions, but of characters and the unfortunate world they live in.

It’s almost like an album’s narrative where a song will be a tale of it’s Own. Yet still part of a tapestry and story for the whole album. It is just an entry. 

It’s a crime thriller where the characters cross paths though told more non-linear (Think PULP FICTION only without the quirkiness) as this film is dark. Where characters are not all evil. As there is no black and white. Where you have characters who seem evil but then do decent or heroic acts. 

It’s a very bleak film about uk street life and follows hustlers, drug dealers, sex traffickers, pimps, wanna be gangsters and prostitutes. With a diverse cast and not all the characters are what you might expect when it comes to behavior and actions.

Where characters tend to cross paths and go into and out of each other’s narrative stories. Which allows at times flashbacks into the characters histories or flash forward of details and events. So that a main character in one story line will be a minor or supporting one in another. While each tale is a tragedy of sorts in itself.

This gritty film is well planned and designed. In the middle of all of this there is one character who passes in and out who is more passive but is still a contributer.

The film is rather shocking and strong. Like an anthropological review where we observe characters in their natural habitat and surroundings that never cease to be brutal. So that it’s hard to say if any of the characters are any worse then each other. As no one is safe or sacred in this film. It still manages to still have some humor in it. More out of coincidence.

The film is not done for glorification or to look cool nor be sympathy porn. It seems to really want to show something and tell tales not from a Hollywood perspective but more of a street one. It seems to be a film that wants to show. Slight on characters who are usually written off or stereotypes in films. A side of life that is out there no matter how much you try to avoid it and how you can be inadvertently contributing or be affected by it. As the film Can go off in a new direction. Each tale has a tidbit of information that might extend or fulfill a character’s own narrative.

This is kind of a street or gangster movie but not like LOCK, STOCK & TWO SMOKING BARRELS. Where it seems more stylish and Hollywood related. This film has a certain style yet feels more realistic. As it feels less like showboating.

This film tends to show where deals are made and it’s all about survival even when forced.

Only one character seems to eventually show a soul while others seem lost in addiction or have lost their hearts to the streets long ago. As it shows a weakness that far too many will jump on and attack. They have locked their hearts always or had to willfully to protect themselves. As they never thought they were worth any good.

This film feels like an anthology of people you meet along the way or eventually Come back around. Who you see in the streets hanging around your neighbor or bars. Like getting to know their backstories and the heartbreak of their lives.

The film likes to shock at times letting us see acts then informs us or gives us information we might not have known that leads up to it. So that we know. The full devastating origins and repercussions. 

The films Director  Ben Drew shows a Respect and appreciation for the neighborhoods and lifestyle while showing also the ugly side of it. As it might be where he came from so he is trying to show or drop some insider knowledge. As it shows that life goes on and the same stories seem To keep happening. Yet for some there is always a tomorrow and a promise of getting better or worse.

The film is filled with colorful characters who gain plenty of sympathy though will not really like them. As this ends up being a feel bad film but a lovely one that tries to leave on a note of hope. As it truly tries to illustrate what a tangled we we weave when we device.


Grade: B