TotalTelly.co.uk
Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV
Spivs [2004]
![Spivs [2004]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GW487V7ZL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £2.35 (subject to change)
Crafty cockney caper with a big heart!
Review date: 2008-04-10 Rating: 8 out of 10
**** review contains spoilers ****
Spivs is a hugely entertaining movie, which will certainly appeal to those of you who enjoyed the likes of Lock Stock or Layer Cake.
Ken Stott plays an absolute blinder as the central "spiv" character - an initially cynical geezer who would rip anyone off where there's profit to be had. He's ably backed up by Nick Moran, playing the kind of role he does best, and Dominic Monaghan adding some welcome comedy value as a hapless, permanently stoned sidekick. Jack Dee (a stressed-out and naive businessman), is not really known for his acting ability, but puts in a decent enough performance when he's first being conned mercilessly and then placed in fear of his life. Maybe not quite oscar material, but I was certainly impressed!
The plot centres around a routine heist that turns into something far more sinister - as Stott realises he is dealing with utterly brutal people traffickers.
His cold heart is gradually melted by the plight of two young brother and sister refugees, who throw themselves on his mercy. OK, so maybe it sounds a bit corny, but I found it genuinely moving.
There's plenty of action along the way and a few shocks - moments of light comedy followed by sudden (and genuinely surprising) deaths, as the movie builds to a dramatic conclusion (which I won't spoil for you!).
Occasionally, the low budget of the movie becomes apparent (just check out the text surrounding the headline as Stott reads the paper - surely they could have produced something more convincing!) and the conclusion - whilst feel good and reasonably satisfying, feels a tad rushed.
On the whole though, I consider Spivs to be one of the best of the dodgy geezer/gangster Brit flick genre.
Similar Products
Reviews
Brit Caper Flick with Heart
Review date: 2005-04-23 Rating: 8 out of 10
If you like the current TV series "Hustle" then you'll probably enjoy this as it has a similar vibe.
There wasn't any publicity, as far as I could tell, when this British film came out in cinemas, nationwide, a few months ago. The fact that a low budget Brit-flick made it to the big screen at all is quite an achievement so it's a pity that the press alowed it to fade without giving it any help. Shame on you Jonathan Ross!
It's not as heavy on the cutting-edge cool-cynicism as the likes of "Lock Stock" and "Layer Cake" (which it will inevitable be compared to) but it should get credit for trying to go a little deeper into the human story of it's characters. There is at times almost an Ealingesque quality to it which I warmed to immediately. However, there is also an unflinching hard edge to the story which shows itself quite unexpectedly and (I though) effectively some way through the film.
There are a couple comic turns from the likes of Paul Kaye and Jack Dee (who underplays his part nicely - a future in movies maybe?) while the solid Ken Stott is ably backed up by Nick Moran, Kate Ashfield and Dominic Monaghan. I expect to see a lot more from Nick Moran in years to come.
All in all, there is much to recommend this film and I will certainly be buying the DVD.
Incidentally, I believe that Director Colin Teague is now completing his next film project "The Last Drop" a WWII action/caper. Perhaps that film will have better luck with press coverage when it gets released. In the meantime don't miss out on this well kept little secret!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Kate Ashfield
Linda Bassett
Elizabeth Berrington
Cavan Clerkin
Chooi Beh
Creators:
Kate Ashfield (Primary Contributor)
Linda Bassett (Primary Contributor)
Colin Teague (Writer)
Andrew Loveday (Producer)
Hamish Skeggs (Producer)
Jamie Carmichael (Producer)
Paul Hart-Wilden (Producer)
Gary Young (Writer)
Mike Loveday (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582342093
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2005-04-25
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 91 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004-09-24
Language: Albanian (Original Language)
Language: English (Original Language)