Hard Boiled Sweets [DVD]

The story is simple yet affective. Introduce all the characters who are aiming for the same goal and see who wins.

Simple, yet very effective. Twists and turns throughout, supported by some brilliant acting. Had me hooked from the beginning to the end.

I disagree with some previous reviewers. Although I was gutted when the film ended, it big not fall into the trap of certain films that go on to long and do not add to the story.

Picture and sounds all good. Didn't check the extras out.

Highly recommended for the film alone.

This is a real cracker of a film, it has made as many enemies as friends and The Guardian gave it what is called in media circles as a `roasting'. Well I went ahead and was more than pleasantly surprised. It starts out with ex con Johnny getting chucked out of prison. His cell mate is Joyce played by the most under rated actor ever Ian Hart. He gives him some sage advice and off to the free world and the arms of a bent and infertile copper who coerces him into doing one more heist.

This is in Southend on Sea `the Vegas of the Third World' and a town run by Shrewd Eddie (Paul Freeman), he gets ten per ecnt of everything that moves or hustles from whores to slot machines but he works to Jimmy the Gent, who himself has been coerced by new bad boy Leroy.

Right it is starting to get complicated now, but it all hinges on who can steal the bag money and who can trust who and more importantly who will die if they get caught. Everyone is playing everyone else, and new allegiances can be made with the rapidity of a gunshot report. There is humour a plenty and everyone has a hard boiled sweet nick name which often indicates a vital part of their character. Like Eddie who is the `Gobstopper', when you find out what his tool of preference for such stopping of `gobs', you will see why he has to pay for ladies company.

This has been written directed and produced by David Hughes who has adapted this from his short film `A Girl and A Gun' which actually starred Ian Hart mentioned earlier and is included as an extra. I thought this was a brilliant effort very nearly five stars, so close in fact I am giving it top marks, I laughed I was hooked and I was constantly surprised by the speed of plot development and it does not rely on the twist to keep you guessing; so much so that I intend to watch again which I don't do with a film that relies on the `twist' as once you have seen the surprise there aint much point any more except occasionally like in `The Usual Suspects'; as a rare example.

It is short at 1 hour and 6 minutes but that is because there is no filler, everything has been boiled down so that it maintains its' momentum up until the last frame and will leave you wanting more. Special mention to Scott Williams playing Johnny he has real screen presence. I actually set out half expecting an average Brit crime drama full of stereotypes and South London slang, but this was actually in your face excellent, I hope Mr Hughes has something else planned soon, perhaps something cake themed as I prefer them to sweets - just an idea mind.

I rented this out over the weekend. I must say, it's one of those cool British films that was very interesting. One of these type of British gangster that sees each character representing a sweet. (Well, if you watch this film, you'll know what I mean..)

Unlike Pulp Fiction, this one really was really good. Each character all fending off, connecting themselves, facing each other with the briefcase full of money is central to the plot. All this is set in Southend, which is something new..

There's a lot more to this film. Special Features nicludes the making of, a documentary and a short film which the idea of the film came from.
Definately, worth a watch. This will part of my collection.

A brave effort from director David L G Hughes. At least someone has made something good. Rather than all the other British crap movies I've seen in the past.