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Evil vs. Less Evil

A British gangster film where almost every guy looks like they could physically destroy any two guys you know isn't enough to make a winner, but Philip Barantini's "Villain" is something you'll want to see for that and other reasons.

It tells a story you've read or seen so many times before that you might expect to be bored beyond belief, but Barantini directs action incredibly well, especially for his first feature. Most of his resume consists of acting in shorts, but if this is an indicator of his future, it's worth keeping tabs on him.

It's not just Barantini that makes "Villain" crackle; he needs to share the credit with Craig Fairbrass, who plays the lead, an aging ex-con named Eddie Franks. Fairbrass looks like a sculptor started with a chunk of granite and carved it until the actor was the final product.

Franks, after being released from prison, visits his daughter (Izuka Hoyle). She feels abandoned by him and she quickly lets him know it. His brother Sean (George Russo) is your typical screwup.

Sean has been running the family pub while Eddie has been in prison and he is running it into bankruptcy, in part because he loves to inhale drugs. What makes it far worse is that Sean has accrued major debts, including to the local mob. The opening scene shows Sean taking a beating in a remote area, where it appears he will be executed. Instead they let him go, but tell him pay it all in a week or die.

The point of it all is that Eddie is going to be counted upon to deal with the gangsters, protect his brother, and save the family business. This is not shocking. We understand that that's what the film is all about. Despite its obviousness, "Villain" works, as I stated before, because of great direction and a powerhouse performance by Fairbrass.

There really isn't much more to tell. Everyone reading this knows almost exactly what they will see if they view "Villain". If you like gangster/action films, this is a very good one. If that's not your thing, you still might get caught up in it. Everyone should give it a shot. Just like the recently oft-used phrase, what have you got to lose?