iLL Manors
Tying in with his album of the same name, UK rapper Ben ‘Plan B’ Drew makes his writing and directing feature debut with this music-fuelled chronicle of London’s crime-centric culture, smashing together the lives of four drug dealers, one user and two prostitutes.
After 15 years in prison, ex-dealer Kirby (Keef Coggins) wants three simple things; to take back his turf, to get laid and to take revenge on the gangsters who have disrespected him. But a humiliating run-in with his former protégé sparks a chain of violence, vengeance and lethal reprisals that ripple through the community of drug dealers, pimps and innocents all swept up into the cycle of violence and deception. Then there is Aaron (Riz Ahmed), street-wise yet vulnerable, just trying to get by and do the right thing while his ruthless friend Ed (Ed Skrein) will stop at nothing to reclaim a mobile phone, leading to deadly consequences.
- Director:
- Ben Drew (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Ben Drew
- Cast:
- Riz AhmedEd SkreinNatalie PressAnouska MondMem FerdaKeef CogginsJo HartleyNick Sagar
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Liam Maguren
flicksAlready impressing as both a musician and an actor, Ben 'Plan B' Drew cracks his directorial knuckles with this feature debut – a British crime chronicle that smashes together the lives of four drug dealers, a drug abuser and two sex workers. Unapologetic in its portrayal of London street life, it’s impossible not to be disgusted at the nature of the characters presented, such as the dealer who cheaply whores out a prostitute based on the thin accusation that she owes him a phone, or the gangbanger who intimidates a young lad into doing his dirty work. It’s about as flattering to London as City of God was to Brazil.
Total Film
pressWringing tortured turns from a cast of unknowns, Drew has things to say - and he mostly says them well.
Time Out
pressThere are plenty of flaws here, but instinctively feels important - like some British films of the 1980s ('Meantime', 'Scum') that spoke of a generation out of work and out of hope.
The Guardian
pressIt turns out to be disappointingly and determinedly apolitical, while the lairy characters and situations look increasingly forced, derivative and unconvincing, with a touch of Guy Ritchie.
Little White Lies
pressA guttural call from a place that, for most of us, remains as remote as a jungle.
Empire Magazine
pressIt may be slow in parts and its heart-sinking scenarios won't fill you with cheer, but it has bags of style and a terrific soundtrack from promising debut director Drew.
Flicks, Liam Maguren
flicksAlready impressing as both a musician and an actor, Ben 'Plan B' Drew cracks his directorial knuckles with this feature debut – a British crime chronicle that smashes together the lives of four drug dealers, a drug abuser and two sex workers. Unapologetic in its portrayal of London street life, it’s impossible not to be disgusted at the nature of the characters presented, such as the dealer who cheaply whores out a prostitute based on the thin accusation that she owes him a phone, or the gangbanger who intimidates a young lad into doing his dirty work. It’s about as flattering to London as City of God was to Brazil.
Total Film
pressWringing tortured turns from a cast of unknowns, Drew has things to say - and he mostly says them well.
Time Out
pressThere are plenty of flaws here, but instinctively feels important - like some British films of the 1980s ('Meantime', 'Scum') that spoke of a generation out of work and out of hope.
The Guardian
pressIt turns out to be disappointingly and determinedly apolitical, while the lairy characters and situations look increasingly forced, derivative and unconvincing, with a touch of Guy Ritchie.
Little White Lies
pressA guttural call from a place that, for most of us, remains as remote as a jungle.
Empire Magazine
pressIt may be slow in parts and its heart-sinking scenarios won't fill you with cheer, but it has bags of style and a terrific soundtrack from promising debut director Drew.
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