DVD: Down Terrace (18)

Reviewed,Ben Walsh
Friday 10 September 2010 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

"The police like to get their claws into idiots like that," maintains the gangster mother (Julia Deakin, excellent) in Ben Wheatley's riveting low-budget black comedy.

The family business, which mostly involves drug dealing from their grotty Brighton home, is unravelling, and the paranoid trio – the unpredictable dad (Robert Hill), psychotic mum and "weak" son (Robin Hill) – suspect a police informer in their midst. Wheatley has a complete hold on the world of these squabbling villains, and this naturalistic drama very much feels like a gangster flick as done by Mike Leigh. It's full of resentment, gripes, unsettling brutality and inspired and droll dialogue.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in