Goodbye Charlie Bright – 2001

Goodbye Charlie Bright is a rough around the edges film by director Nick Love, and in some ways you feel a little robbed in that certain parts of the story never seem to develop fully, one minute the plot goes one way and then it drags you off in another direction.

Charlie and Justin are best friends and live on a housing estate in East London, with seemingly nothing to do apart from drugs and thieving the pair would seem inseparable. But when Charlie realises that there are bigger and better things waiting for him on the outside world he must choose between his best friend or a better life for himself.

For the British population that love these types of films I don’t think you are going to worry too much about the plot, it’s an enjoyable ride at best but lacks the development of the characters. It would have been good to further explain their backgrounds.

The acting is OK and Paul Nicholls gives an above average performance, look out too for a young Danny Dyer who I would have liked to see a little more throughout. All in all the film displays a definitive line between what can sustain a friendship and what can tear it apart.

View the trailer

Rating: (3/5)

Visit the IMDb page for Goodbye Charlie Bright

DVD Extras: Trailer, cast and crew interviews, commentary by director Nick Love, production notes and story boards

Please feel free to comment on this film, I would love to know what you think and I will do my best to respond!

Jack Said – 2009

jack said

As Independent films go Jack Said follows up as a very good prequel to Jack Says, for those of you that got the chance to watch the latter may have been impressed with the well written script, good story and fantastic cameos by the likes of Mike Reid and Eric Cantona.

Jack Said looks at the events leading up to the first film, and does very well in developing the story to be able to fill the gaps that film goers may have been questioning before.

Jack, still in deep as an undercover cop must help his friend and fellow gangster Nathan who is in trouble after stealing from the family. Jack is also tasked with protecting Nathan’s sister Erin with whom he has gotten very close to, and also has to contend with the Guv’nor’s psychotic daughter Natalie.

It’s a very dark and graphic film that follows the novel written by Paul Tanter and displays great use of the film noir genre but at times can seem a little disjointed but avoids being just another run of the mill gangster flick.

There is raw acting talent in abundance, Danny Dyer well known for his roles as the rough around the edges wide boy again is very good and composed. David O’Hara who is another well established actor is sinister as The Boss, and I look forward to seeing them both return in the upcoming Jack Falls.

The film is a giant leap forward for the British Independent film industry and it is only going to grow the more and more people take note of it. This is something that everyone involved should be very proud of indeed.

View the trailer

Rating: (3.5/5)

Visit the IMDb page for Jack Said

DVD Extras: Behind the scenes, deleted scenes, trailer

Blu-ray Extras: Behind the scenes, deleted scenes, trailer

Please feel free to comment on this film, I would love to know what you think and I will do my best to respond!