Rocknrolla
Rocknrolla
Starring - Gerrard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton, Karel Roden, Chris Bridges, Mark Strong, Toby Kebbel
Directed by Guy Ritchie
A fantastic cast should make for a good gangster film, which is exactly what we get. Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson) is the leader of the gang, practically having the whole of London in his pocket. His assistant One-Two (Gerrard Butler) is a key part of the gang. He and a number of colleagues have spent time inside however, while Lenny does not seem to worry too much, he pretty much owns the place afterall.
When Lenny gets chance to strike a land deal with a rich Russian which would strengthen his position even further, he thinks all is going well. To celebrate however, the Russian lends Lenny his 'lucky' painting. Not so lucky for Lenny, it goes missing, when our new Russian friend wants it back when complications with the deal are found, it elads Lenny to his rock star son Johnny (Toby Kebbel) who he denounced years ago, and was written off as dead due to a boat accident that never actually happened.
To throw another apnner in the works, the Russians business associate Stella (Thandie Newton) likes to play a bit more dangerously than a women of her demeanour should. She fancies making some money and enlists the help of Micky and Archie, both who have had dealings with the crooked side of Lenny Cole themselves. They scupper the deal with a covert operation to ensure the transfer of money never occurs. Stella's interventions, The unwanted son who loves art and is smarter than his father thinks, a Russian frutrated by the problems with the deal and who wants his painting back soon and the discovery by One Two of exactly how he and his friends were put away in jail, create a coctail of problems for old Lenny, does he have enough to survive it all and come out on top yet again or will there be the emergence of a new Rocknrolla in town?
The film has lots of action, a number of cleverly intertwined plots which come together nicely to create a stroy full of twists and turns. Wilkinson as ever delivers as Lenny, and Toby Kebbel does a great job as the son Johnny, a part that appears to be a bit part to start with and gradually builds up. Thandie Newton adds much glamour putting herself in a postion that she really shouldn't be, but that makes it all the more exciting.
MOON OF LIBERTY VERDICT - RATING 'B+' - Fast and furious, lots of action and twists that will keep you guessing until the final moments. Give it a go.
