Offender is 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 stars Kimberley Nixon, Joe Cole, Shaun Dooley, Vas Blackwood and 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 Nixon as Elise
- Shaun Dooley as Nash
- Joe Cole as Tommy
- English Frank as Jake
- Tyson Oba as Mason
- G FrSH as Angelface
- Daniel Kendrick as Sicko
- Scorcher as Essay
- Malachi Kirby as Harry
- David Ajala as Kelvin
- Ruth Gemmell as Cassie
- Mark Harris as Governor Davies
- Jacob Anderson as Patrick
- Vas Blackwood as Detective Boaz
- Doon Mackichan as 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 aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.[2] Empire magazine and Total Film both rated it 3/5, with Empire Magazine stating it was "a solid revenge thriller in which Cole excels"[3] The Guardian gave it one star, stating "the plot and characters are lame and implausible, the dialogue is banal and the acting mediocre".[4] Time Out claimed the film "feels less Scum and more like the back-story of one of Guy Ritchie’s knuckle-headed footsoldiers."[5]
The film received a 4/5 rating from Heat magazine stating "this bloody borstal drama makes quiet political points alongside a powerful revenge storyline" and a 4/5 rating from Sky Movies calling it an "admirably crafted a compelling drama" and likening it to French prison film A Prophet and Alan Clarke's 1979 film Scum.[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. The Londonist states "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 and MTV have rated the film 8/10[9] and 7/10[10] respectively.
References
edit- ^ "OFFENDER greenlit for production". casarotto.co.uk. January 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ Offender at Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ Smith, Anna. "Offender Review Empire". Empire Magazine. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- ^ Offender - Review Archived 30 March 2023 at the Wayback Machine - The Guardian, 9 August 2012
- ^ Offender - review Archived 17 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine - Time Out, 9 August 2012
- ^ Evans, Tim. "Offender Review". 21st Century Scum. Archived from the original on 30 November 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- ^ "Film Review: 'Offender' -". 8 August 2012. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- ^ Fowler, Ben (14 July 2012). "Offender Review". The Londonist. The Londonist. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- ^ Malick, Sherin. "Offender Review". Offender Review Bring The Noise. Bring The Noise. Archived from the original on 6 March 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- ^ O'Neill, Lorenzo. "FILM REVIEW: 'OFFENDER'". MTV. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.