Offenderis a 2012 British action film which follows a hard grafting, 20-year-old working-class man, Tommy Nix, who while avoiding getting mixed up in the wrong crowd sees his girlfriend fall victim to a brutal attack.[1]It starsKimberley Nixon,Joe Cole,Shaun Dooley,Vas Blackwoodand rapper English Frank. It is written by Paul Van Carter and directed by Ron Scalpello.
| Offender | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Ron Scalpello |
| Written by | Paul Van Carter |
| Produced by | Paul Van Carter Nick Taussig, Stephen Mitchell, Rhys David Thomas |
| Starring | Kimberley Nixon Shaun Dooley Joe Cole Tyson Oba Vas Blackwood Ruth Gemmell David Ajala Doon Mackichan |
| Cinematography | Richard Mott |
| Edited by | Johnny Rayner |
| Music by | Chad Hobson |
Production company | Gunslinger Films & Revolver Entertainment. An RDT Co-Production |
| Distributed by | Revolver Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 102 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Cast
edit- Kimberley Nixonas Elise
- Shaun Dooleyas Nash
- Joe Coleas Tommy
- English Frank as Jake
- Tyson Oba as Mason
- G FrSH as Angelface
- Daniel Kendrick as Sicko
- Scorcheras Essay
- Malachi Kirbyas Harry
- David Ajala as Kelvin
- Ruth Gemmellas Cassie
- Mark Harris as Governor Davies
- Jacob Andersonas Patrick
- Vas Blackwoodas Detective Boaz
- Doon Mackichanas the Doctor Patricia
- Can Somer as the Muslim Inmate
- Michael Edwards as Prison Officer
- Rimmel Daniel as Prison inmate
- Ric Ashley Smith as Pillion
- Mic Righteous as himself
Reception
editThe film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 68% score on review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes.[2] Empiremagazine andTotal Filmboth rated it 3/5, withEmpire Magazinestating it was "a solid revenge thriller in which Cole excels"[3] The Guardiangave it one star, stating "the plot and characters are lame and implausible, the dialogue is banal and the acting mediocre".[4]Time Outclaimed the film "feels lessScumand more like the back-story of one of Guy Ritchie’s knuckle-headed footsoldiers. "[5]
The film received a 4/5 rating fromHeatmagazine stating "this bloody borstal drama makes quiet political points alongside a powerful revenge storyline" and a 4/5 rating fromSky Moviescalling it an "admirably crafted a compelling drama" and likening it to French prison filmA ProphetandAlan Clarke's 1979 filmScum.[6]
CineVue presented a 3/5 review for the film, stating that"Scalpello's Offender is far from original"However it presented "enjoyable performances and an entertaining revenge plot."[7]
In general the reviews rate the film for its depiction of characters involved in and affected by the riots. TheLondoniststates "It’s a surprisingly comprehensive look at the lives of young criminals, in particular their sense of isolation and disenchantment with a corrupt system."[8]
The film gained more positive reviews from urban and music press. Music sites Bring The Noise andMTVhave rated the film 8/10[9]and 7/10[10]respectively.
References
edit- ^"OFFENDER greenlit for production".casarotto.co.uk. January 2012.Retrieved14 February2012.
- ^OffenderatRotten Tomatoes.
- ^Smith, Anna."Offender Review Empire".Empire Magazine.Retrieved8 August2012.
- ^Offender - ReviewArchived30 March 2023 at theWayback Machine- The Guardian, 9 August 2012
- ^Offender - reviewArchived17 August 2012 at theWayback Machine- Time Out, 9 August 2012
- ^Evans, Tim."Offender Review".21st Century Scum.Archivedfrom the original on 30 November 2012.Retrieved8 August2012.
- ^"Film Review: 'Offender' -".8 August 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 8 October 2024.Retrieved8 August2012.
- ^Fowler, Ben (14 July 2012)."Offender Review".The Londonist.The Londonist.Retrieved8 August2012.
- ^Malick, Sherin."Offender Review".Offender Review Bring The Noise.Bring The Noise. Archived fromthe originalon 6 March 2013.Retrieved8 August2012.
- ^O'Neill, Lorenzo."FILM REVIEW: 'OFFENDER'".MTV. Archived fromthe originalon 8 July 2012.Retrieved8 August2012.