Protraph Lack of good storyline.

Executscan Expected more

Kimball Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Caryl It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Xex-Arachnid If you're like me with money on hand, bored and in need of entertainment, you will go to your local (corporate) video store to see what's available and if you're like me thinking that you're slick, you would avoid the new releases and head to the vintage "drama, or thriller/action" isles.I have found this movie in such an isle and it looked promising with Capone holding a Tommy Gun, along with the grainy transfer for the cover,you'd think you've found a very overlooked gem but this is not the case.In the beginning of this movie, Capone and his henchmen cut's the throat of messenger boy sent from his enemies (the Irish Mob) and after this, you'd think things will continue along this path but it doesn't.My favorite parts is a Polish butcher pressing his fingers in a slab of meet to give an example on how to pronounce his name, "Sla-vetski", and a dwarf hit-man played by the same guy who played in Willow.The funny thing is, since this focuses on three friends from England, all the sudden, I'm noticing other actors with an accent and to escape with the loot, the women, and partying like you got over, is very...disappointing and unrealistic.

slbwrite "Al's Lads" is not one of the best films you'll rent, but it's an unpretentious bit of fun that is elevated by the excellent performance of its charismatic lead actor, Marc Warren.The story is about a trio of Liverpool lads looking to make good in 1920's Chicago when they fall under the auspices of Al Capone. Marc Warren stars as Jimmy, a feisty, but goodhearted boxer. Comic relief is provided by his mates, Danny (Ralf Little) and Eddie (Stephen Lord), who spend most of their time running away from thugs, trading banter and canoodling with baby-voiced prostitutes.Brilliantly photographed by Nic Knowland, many scenes have a rich, glowing quality that accentuates the wonderfully detailed sets and costumes. The fight scenes, in particular, are beautifully lit. Director Richard Standeven keeps things moving at a fairly energetic pace and most of the actors turn in spirited performances.Unfortunately, all of this is in service to a very mediocre script by Marc Gee. There's nothing much original here and there's a lot that's cliched, including one nonsensical plot development that occurs only because two characters must be thrown together if the rest of the story is to proceed. At the risk of sounding like a prude, there is way too much use of the "f" word " (the IMDb doesn't like profanity, but you know which one I mean) which seems to be integral to every sentence uttered by every gangster. By the end of the film, it becomes very boring and even distracting, as you begin to ponder exactly how many times the word has been used in the entire script and consider watching the film again just so you can make an accurate tally.Another flaw lies with Edith, the gangster's moll. She is the least fully realized character in the film and Kirsty Mitchell's wooden performance doesn't help matters. Although she looks gorgeous, Ms. Mitchell delivers her lines in a barely modulated monotone, a far cry from the fiery personality Edith should have. The fact that Edith appears to be nothing more than a beautiful, bored flapper makes it hard to understand why Jimmy is willing to risk his life for her.The best scenes in the movie occur once Jimmy is placed under the tutelage of grizzled trainer, Boom-Boom, played with appealing world-weariness by Richard Roundtree. The crucial chemistry missing in the romantic storyline lies here, between Warren and Roundtree. Consequently, the relationship between Jimmy and Boom-Boom is the most affecting one in the film, as the characters bond over sit-ups, roadwork and sparring. It's obvious that Marc Warren put his heart and soul into training for the film. He's in extremely good shape and handles the many physical demands of the part with seeming ease.As an actor, Mr. Warren has always had a feline quality - a sense of controlled power lying in wait behind a graceful stillness - and it serves him well in this film. Whether bursting with raw energy in the convincingly staged fight scenes, sharing a moment of quiet intensity with Roundtree or subtly revealing his character's vulnerable side in romantic scenes, Warren never hits a false note. He is completely mesmerizing onscreen, but has yet to find a film vehicle worthy of his prodigious talents. He should be getting a crack at the kind of parts Jude Law and Ewan McGregor seem to have cornered. Marc Warren is one of the most talented and compelling actors of his generation and I hope a role comes along soon.

gblack-1 A travesty of film-making, this movie throws together every conceivable cliche from every film we've ever seen before about boxing, gangsters, romance, and thick but lovable scousers, and what's more compresses them all into such a space of time that its impossible to feel any narrative drive or sense that this is a real movie, rather than a simple mish-mash of individual scenes using acting offcuts from The Full Monty. The film itself looks and sounds good, thus beggaring belief that anyone looking at the script believed it could be turned into a decent product. Its depressing to think that with no film experience whatsoever, I could sit down with the script and a red pen and within an hour excise 30 cliches and 20 plot inconsistencies. Of course, having done that, there'd be 3 minutes of credits left. Its Full of unlikeable, thinly drawn characters we're supposed to root for (wise old boxing trainer, gangster moll, prostitutes with hearts of gold, , hard-but-honest hero who refuses to throw the fight) and Chicago gangsters who've risen to the top but are too stupid to foil a pack of scouse fools). Halfway through, I didn't walk out because I thought the film absolutely had to get better - there was no way it could remain at its abysmal, stinking, chancrous level. It did.

jefski Having read the blurb about this picture, I was expecting a knockabout English period farce at a very low budget. I was wrong. This is a nicely written, well shot (in Liverpool) period drama which transcends its meagre budget. The characters are well sketched and their working class backgrounds counterpoint the slick American peformances offered up by the likes of Al Sapienza ('The Soprano's') and Richard Roundtree (The original 'Shaft'). The story develops from a simple gin scam on board The Mauritania into Marc Warren (Jimmy) becomming a prize fighter for Al Capone's gang and in turn solving the kidnapping of Al's Son (Sonny). The gorgeous Kirsty Mitchell gives a very polished American peformance (she's Scottish!) and Ralph Little (Royle Family) and Stephen Lord excel also. Slow in parts, this film is well worth seeing and is beautifully lit by Nic Knowlands. A good low budget movie that can hold its head up high!!