Color, R (mature themes, language, sexual situations, violence, drugs, violence), 102 min., DVD $26.98, VHS rental
DVD: no extras
Street: Nov. 16, Prebook: Oct. 5
First Run: L, June 2004, <$1 mil.
Cast: Clive Owen (Croupier), Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (Bend It Like Beckham), Malcolm McDowell (The Company), Charlotte Rampling (Swimming Pool), Jamie Forman (Saving Grace)
Director: Mike Hodges
PARAMOUNT
When his brother (Rhys-Meyers) commits suicide following a brutal incident, former British mobster Will Graham (Owen) returns to his old turf, after living as a recluse for years. His goal: To find the people involved in the incident that led to his sibling's death. Croupier director Hodges and star Owen reteam for a gritty crime melodrama that offers some of the nourish trappings of that surprise 2000 cult hit and Hodges' 1971 Michael Caine classic Get Carter. This time, however, the narrative is fragmented and the pacing methodical--some might even call it lethargic. Still, vivid characterizations and good support from McDowell, Rampling and others will help word-of-mouth spread on this title, which was inspired by a Warren Zevon song. And don't forget the healthy core audience for Brit crime stories, fans hip to the Hodges-Owen connection and exposure from the recent debut of Croupier on DVD from Image following years of legal problems.