RocknRolla (2008)

RocknRolla (2008), written and directed by Guy Ritchie.

Brit-crime has been a genre for a long time. Guy Ritchie appeared and mapped out his own corner: quick, chaotic, funny and a little brutal, with complex storylines that might all tie up if we rewatched and took notes.

He still does crime but has expanded and moved into other genres and styles.

I hadn't seen this since it was new. It may not be as well-remembered as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) or Snatch (2000), but with a rewatch I'd put them all on the same shelf. I'll have to try the more obscure Revolver (2005) again.

No point in detailing the plot. Criminals both hard and weak, corrupt politicians, friendship and betrayal, scary moments, desperate hunts for the mcguffins.

Wonderful cast:

• Gerard Butler

• Idris Elba

• Tom Wilkinson

• Thandiwe Newton

• Mark Strong

• Tom Hardy

• Jeremy Piven

• Gemma Arterton

Jason Statham couldn't make it this time.

Available on Blu-ray.