WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Family is key. The support of family, their loyalty and unwavering devotion, becomes paramount when the road gets rough. Yet, what happens when this is put to the test as outside forces begin to press in? Dee (Gregg Sulkin) is a young man with promise, even if the current means to demonstrate his skillset isn’t entirely on the up and up–graffiti art. Yet, his carefully executed projects have kept him mostly out of run-ins with the law and, more importantly, on the radar of legitimate art promoters who like Dee’s style. But, as things look on the up and up for Dee and his girlfriend Kirsten (Meghan Markle), his brother Marcus (Josh Myers) is also highly successful at his chosen craft–smash and grab heists.
With multiple capers under his belt and a building amount of wealth obtained from them, Marcus’ wishes and ambitions begin to grow exceedingly high, as with larger payouts comes much more risk for himself and his crew, Kwame (Michael Maris), Nicky (James Devlin), and Dominic (Richie Campbell). Not willing to let obstacles prevent them from scoring their biggest job yet that would allow them all to get out of the life and escape London, a brewing war with a rival gang threatens to undermine everything, including Dee’s own dreams when he’s unexpectedly dragged into the chaos when events turn even more ugly for Marcus and his plans. Soon, it’s the consequences of choices made that will decide the fate and future of both men.
Next, my Mind:
Filled with gritty intent, darkly dramatic resolve, and yet an underlying current of redemption, writer/director Reg Traviss’ indie feature film careens along at fever pitch as the narrative showcases the choosing of action, the ramifications of them, and the fallout from it all as it effects the lives, loves, and goals of two brothers whose tendencies lie on the wrong side of the law, but in decidedly different fashion. Despite the means by which each character chooses to make their way, it becomes an inevitability that their two worlds would still cross, even though Dee’s more innocent proclivities usually land him far away from Marcus’ turbulent path. As one would gather, the film’s themes promote much of the intense content via high amounts of harsh language, moments of violence, and a brief, mildly graphic sexual encounter, which this reviewer could have lived without, as certain elements didn’t really enhance the greater story being told.
Sulkin does a solid job as Dee, portraying a young man with all the possibilities in the world, and a desire to find what it is he wants, settle in, and enjoy life. Yet, once placed in an impossible situation by his brother’s friends, it becomes a torn mentality he battles in wanting to support family, yet keep clear of trouble. Myers as Marcus is equally well played, showing a man whose driven, fearless, and primed to make his fortune, regardless of the danger involved, as the successes he and his crew have had previously continue to embolden him. However, he also has the internal battle to protect his brother and see him succeed too, all of which is put into jeopardy as Marcus’ world begins to unravel and endanger them all. Markle’s performance as Dee’s girlfriend Kirsten is solid, as she navigates the character’s initial innocence as to what Dee’s brother is really about, but then once realizing it, having to deal with it and Dee’s loyalty to kin.
Supporting turns from Christian Berkel, Andrew Shim, Sophie Colquhoun, Caroline Ford, and Junior “Skepta” Adenuga are present in the film as well, each playing their respective roles in fine manner. Overall, “Anti-Social” is a smartly executed British gangster film that stands firm on its own merits amidst the popular genre, and does so in providing a story that allows for the inherent uncompromising, undisguised fierceness of its themes while still bringing us a sense of hope by its finale.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading.
