Author: John Hurt

Format: Dolby

Release Date: 10-01-2012

Details: Amazon.ca A hydrochloric religious satire disguised as a cracking gang thriller, Graham Greene's 1938 novel Brighton Rock is best remembered for its main character, a 17-year-old arrested-development sociopath named Pinkie, who was terrifyingly brought to life by Richard Attenborough in 1947's film version. Cannily updating the action to the '60s Quadrophenia era of mod cons, writer-director Rowan Joffe's adaptation hits many of the proper notes, even if it can't quite nail the odd moments of grace that made the earlier versions sing so stingingly. Set around a gone-to-seed English vacation resort, the film follows the attempts of a small-time gang leader (Sam Riley) to cover up the murder of a cohort. After discovering that a mousy waitress (Andrea Riseborough) may have evidence of the crime, he devotes his psychopathic energies to finding out what she knows, eventually turning to marriage in an attempt to keep her from future testimony. Things zoom to an endpoint with the interference of a local pub institution (Helen Mirren) with her own ties to the victim. Making his directorial debut, Joffe displays a promising knack for the arresting image, as well as an energetic take on the infrequent chase scenes. (Based on what's seen here, the Brighton town council should really consider designating a separate transit lane for guys in suits waving razors.) Throw in some small yet vivid appearances from the likes of John Hurt and Andy Serkis, and the makings for an above-average crime movie are all there. There are some unfortunate stumbling blocks, however, most notably with the central character, whose deviant behavior never quite rings true. As seen in the earlier Joy Division biopic Control, Riley is a fine actor, yet here seems a bit too self-consciously method actorly to fully capture Pinkie's skittery id thought processes. When your character's emotions can change in a freaky heartbeat, thinking it through may be the wrong approach. --Andrew Wright Special Features Cast interviews Featurette Behind the Scenes Trailer From the Studio Adapted from Graham Greene’s classic 1939 novel, Brighton Rock charts the headlong fall of Pinkie, a young man with a religious death wish. At the heart of the story is the anti-hero Pinkie’s relationship with Rose - an apparently innocent young waitress who stumbles on evidence linking Pinkie and his gang to a revenge killing that Pinkie commits. After the murder, Pinkie seduces Rose, first in an effort to find out how much she knows and latterly to ensure she will not talk to the police. A love story between a murderer and a witness, can Pinkie trust Rose or should he kill her before she talks to the police? Can Rose trust Pinkie or is she next in line?

UPC: 065935571018

EAN: 0065935571018

Languages: English

Binding: DVD

Item Condition: UsedVeryGood