Brighton Rock (2011)

Graham Greene's 1939 novel about an ambitious young man's attempt to take control of the gangster world in Brighton and also his dark dealings with a young girl who happens to cross his path has been brought to life in Rowan Joffe's updated version. Sam Riley steps into the role of Pinky who was played by Sir Richard Attenborough in the 1947 original. Sam makes this role his own, looking convincingly evil, menacing and makes the audience genuinely not give a damn about him.

Rowan Joffe must be commended for putting his own spin on the classic film. He has brought the seedy gangland forward to the 60's with the town also gaining a new gang leader in the shape of Andy Serkis's cockney named Colleoni. Some of the scenes and feel for the film will be familiar to people who are fans of the Who's Quadrophenia. These adjustments are welcome as it gives the film a fresh take on the story instead of being a carbon copy of the original. Newcomer Andrea Risenborough does a great job in playing Rose as a shy innocent girl who seems trapped by Pinky, but then becomes a willing helper for a man who doesn't return the love she has for him. The role was originally going to be played by Carey Mulligan but dropped out to make Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. As talented as Carey is, I don't think her performance would of been any better then Andrea's. Legendary actors Helen Mirren and John Hurt are on hand to support and help Rose with Helen in particular being in fine form playing the role of Andrea's boss

The film though isn't without it's faults. This would be passed off as a typical gangster film if it wasn't for the religious nods to the novel. Of course most gangster films make references to religion in some way or another (a shoot out in a church.....possibly not). The problem is the film seems to have put these references in just for the sake of it and doesn't really fit in with the rest of the story. Also the film may put off some people for being that little bit too dark. Even Goodfellas had some comedy thrown in but you won't find any in Brighton Rock.

That said Rowan Joffe alongside Cinematographer John Mathieson  have made great contributions to the film, evoking a sense of the time and place that was the 60's. With Sam Riley's performance being genuinely unmissable and enough new ideas added to the original adaptation make this a worthwhile watch and a justified remake.