The Sweeney

So, this is a Nick Love film, mainly about East End cops and robbers, starring Ray Winstone and Ben Drew (aka Plan B). The answer to the first obvious question? Not that I was timing it, but I think it was about the 12 minute mark when I first heard someone call someone else a "cant". As you've already probably guessed, apart from a few characters, this film version of The Sweeney bares little resemblance to the much loved TV series from the 1970's. In effect this should be reviewed as a standalone effort, but it's difficult to forget about its roots. In this version with have Jack Regan (Winstone) and George Carter (Drew), members of a Flying Squad in London, who go about their business of nicking criminals by any means necessary and worrying about the consequences later. Unsurprisingly this film is cliches galore. Regan has a shadowy informant that gives him tips (Alan Ford in a small role that somewhat confusingly is never really explained), the bad guys have maps and pictures on the walls of their hideouts and when one character gives another one a piece of jewellery before they attempt to stop a theft occurring you just know that the bookies will have at that instance closed the account on whether that person survives the next 15 minutes or not. As for nods to the TV series there are a few to listen out for, but this bears little resemblance to the glory days of John Thaw and Dennis Waterman. This is particularly obvious when it comes to Winstone's portrayal of Regan. Whereas in the TV series Regan was a lovable rouge, here he's a bit of a, well, "cant". Plus, the side storyline that Winstone is bedding hot married copper Hayley Atwell is pretty unbelievable. Obviously Winstone is the senior partner here in terms of the acting side of things, so it's not a surprise that the film concentrates mainly on him. It's a shame though as there is zero chemistry between him and a sidelined Drew throughout the picture. In effect this could have just as easily have been called Regan as opposed to The Sweeney. Where the film does score highly though is during an extended bank robbery / chase sequence in the middle of the film that has the loudest guns since Heat and an impressive (in terms of the difficulty they must have had in filming in such an iconic location) shoot out / foot race through Trafalgar Square. It's decent stuff and proof that Love can pull out the stops when required. It's a shame then that the film doesn't kick on from there and eventually meekly pitters out, culminating in a short run of the mill car chase. In fact, the whole plot is pretty thin and you'd expect more from co-scripter (and Danny Boyle cohort) John Hodge. Overall it's all quite hokey, but it somehow does just enough to stop it from landing in clunker territory. Love's style of film making (or, perhaps more to the point, the content of his films) isn't to everyone's liking, but The Sweeney is more than passable, doesn't pretend to be more than what it is and perhaps further kudos should go to Love for sticking to his guns and making his version rather than one with an Americanised style (what the studio allegedly pestered him for). Londoners will also enjoy location spotting and there's some breathtaking helicopter shots of the smoke to enjoy. It's just a shame that Lorne Balfe's loud and obtrusive score spoils a lot of them (and a lot of other scenes as well). 

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Exactly what you would have expected in terms of director, actors and material. Certainly no more though. Rating: 6/10.