Like a condemned man pleading for his life, the modern British crime flick just refuses to lay down and die. But Shooters, more unassuming than most, deserves a reprieve.
Gritty rather than flashy, it doesnt tart itself up with smart suits and clever-clever dialogue, but goes for a refreshing, authentic, hard edge instead.
Thats not to say it doesnt have its flaws. Theres an unavoidable and irritating sense of déjà vu, and the story Gilly (Dempsey) comes out of prison vowing to go straight, but swiftly gets dragged back into dodgy deals by his best mate, J (Howard) confuses us with at least one double-cross too many.
Nevertheless, its good to see a gangster film that draws from life rather than other movies, and whose take on honour among thieves is about emotional consequences, not just plot contrivances.