Charlie (2004)
Starring: Luke Goss, Steven Berkoff, Leslie Grantham, Anita Dobson, Marius Weyers, Nicole Sherwin, Douglas McFerran, Langley Kirkwood, Jeroen Kranenburg, Mark Aden, Tony Longhurst, Chris Curran, Andrew Bent, Bruce Young, Antony Carrick, Ronald France, Alfie Furneaux, Charlie Richardson
Director: Malcolm Needs
Running Time: 94 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 18
Crime, Drama
On DVD Luke Goss - remember him? He's the bloke from Bros! Can we go mummy? Can we go? Can we go to see the Bros? They might play 'When Will I Be Famous' or 'I Owe You Nothing'!! So can we? Can we go??
No. We can't "go to see the Bros". We're going to sit right here in front of our DVD player and watch that nice young man burn a bloke on the side of the head with an electric fire, electrocute another guy using ridiculously-outdated wind-up torture equipment, and break a third man's toes with a set of pliers. This is 'Charlie', and it's about as far away from the world of harmless 80s pop as you can get without actually being Marilyn Manson.
It's supposedly the tale of Charlie Richardson, the real-life 1960s London gangster who lorded it over the south side of the Thames whilst the notorious Kray twins did likewise on the north. Written and directed by Malcolm Needs, it stars Goss in the title role and presents an uneven story, half glorifying Richardson's criminal lifestyle and half making him out to be hard done by when the Old Bill finally caught up with him. With first the universally-slated 'Shoreditch' on his CV and now this, you get the feeling Needs is swiftly gaining a name for himself as Britain's premier failed-gangster-movie-director. It's Malcolm Needs as in "Malcolm NEEDS to start making something a bit better than this."
Of course, while watching 'Charlie' there's the ever-present feeling that we've been here before - namely in 1990, when those two geezers from Spandau Ballet played 'The Krays'. And, come to think of it, didn't Phil Collins play Buster Edwards two years previously to that? You have to wonder where it's all going to end - Simon Le Bon as Ronnie Biggs? Perhaps Pete Burns taking the title role in 'Mad Frankie Fraser: The Movie'??
DVD Extras: Nothing. Not even a couple of old Bros videos.
It's Got: No shortage of cringe-inducing on-screen violence.
It Needs: Some sort of consistency in its message.
Alternatives: Shoreditch, The Krays
Summary: Too violent, too transparent, and too crap. Luke Goss should choose his roles more wisely if he truly still wants to "be famous".
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 19th July 2004
External Links
Charlie at the IMDB
Comments9 Comments |
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| Comment by:- Alan T | | 30 July 2004 | ip: logged |
| You really should get over the fact that Luke Goss used to be in Bros. He gives an amazing performance. If you cringe at the fact that there is plenty of violence in it I suggest watching the movie with the commentary switched on first. The DVD has some good features, like a very good commentary by the director, an alternate ending, deleted scenes and outtakes. Never saw the movie at the cinemas but bought the DVD because I am into crime-stories especially with a true background. Although owning it for mere 3 days now I have watched it at least 4 times already. Goss carries the movie and the scene right up leading to Charlie's conviction is the most excellent acting I have seen in a long time. I am truely impressed. If he can convince me like that, and I am not easily convinced, I say more power to him. Thumbs up from me. |
| Comment by:- Steve | | 01 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| yep i totaly agree, give the man a break,so he was in bross,the guy as now moved on to acting,what a performance by Luke Goss, i was well impressed with this one,i love real life gagster films,loved the lay out of some of the chapters within the movie, great movie all the way. |
| Comment by:- Tommy Lloyd | | 12 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| It says in your "starring" list that Charlie Richardson was in the movie, is that true and if so who was he? Or by some weird coincidence is one of actors named charlie richardson |
| Comment by:- Richy Stonehouse | | 14 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| The real Charlie Richardson made a cameo appearance in the movie as "Man In Pub"(!). |
| Comment by:- Gary | www.movie-gazette.com... | 14 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| Just watched the film - 24 August 2004. Excellent, well acted and brought in things I did't know. The BOSS connection - we all know about the Cray's and the Mafia, but S E london and S Africa? On an other point, recent BBC series 'The long Firm', anybody else notice the similarities? |
| Comment by:- Dave | | 24 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| **** hot film Goss brilliant acting 9/10.... |
| Comment by:- chris | | 16 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| Fantasctic film, I think luke played the part well. The film was a bit confusing at the start, but once it got going you had to watch it all. I would recommend this film to any one who like real life gangster film such as the Kray's. Well don e to all (including Anita Dobson as she did'nt sing) 8/10 rating |
| Comment by:- Kerry-Anne | | 20 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| Wicked film... Charlie @ Eddie Richardson were much better than the Krays... only down fall is that it missed a few details... e.g events, characters, etc. 8 out of 10 definately worth watchin! |
| Comment by:- Tyrone | | 26 October 2004 | ip: logged |
