Plustown
A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.
Griff Lees
Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
Allison Davies
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
thebogofeternalstench
I've noticed this growing trend with a lot of British gangster and drama films that claim to be 'gritty and realistic' but are no where near it.Shifty suffers from the same flaws. I'm sorry, but even the lower class of British society doesn't say 'yeh bruv' or 'mug' etc every other sentence, its so stereotypical and bloody over done.It seems also, that Daniel Mays is a one dimensional 'actor', but really, he can't act to save his life. He has one of the most irritating faces to look at and permanently looks retarded. To me, he sounds EXACTLY like Danny Dyer, another bloke who thinks he can act. How he got a part in anything to do with Mike Leigh is beyond me.Riz Ahmed however seems like a very capable actor but was given a completely $hit script to work with.The whole film is just so uninteresting. I thought there would be some action and meaning to the story, but at end its like the viewer is supposed to clap their hands at Shifty's clever little stints he did to get out of his spot of bother.Also, if he made 3 grand a week being a drug dealer, would he really be living in that $hitty flat/house with his older, old fashioned brother? I doubt it.Another disappointing, clichéd British film.
GrahamEngland
While a subject that is quite familiar to low budget UK films, 'Shifty' is better than most.The tiny budget may have made too much flashiness impossible, the film is all the better for it. Since it gives a more realistic touch and lets the characters develop.The film does was it sets out to do well, 24 hours in the life of a drug dealer (who unlike the usual stereotype had choices due to his good education and once supportive family). His limited world is upturned by an old friend returning to town after 4 years, after an event, not revealed until late in the film, though he has plenty of other problems looming.Well shot, good characters, good script and it kept me interested from start to finish with some very good moments within a tight narrative.Plenty of similar films in this genre deliver less than they promise, 'Shifty' on the other hand, to quote a well known advert in the UK 'Does What It Says On The Tin'. And does it very well. Recommended.
gary-444
A valiant effort that fails due to a poor script.Any production made in 18 days for £100,000 deserves good luck.And it is not without its good points.The cinematography is excellent, the editing crisp, the shots well framed and the feel authentic rather than cheap. As Director, Evan Creevy does a good job. As a writer he is seduced into believing that a gritty, street realisation is going to be enough. It is not.Furthermore the music score appears to have been the coursework for a GCSE music student, it is that rudimentary and uninspired.The running time of just under 90 minutes is perfect for telling a story,yet it feels like a long time.Well acted, Riz Ahmed as lead role Shifty, is convincing enough, but is let down by flat dialogue.His passing resemblance to Rio Ferdinand is further mirrored by the banality of his lines, many of which are about as compelling as a Rio post match interview.Drug culture films are difficult to pull off.This certainly does not glorify drugs, but with no sparkling badinage, and glamour it struggles to find a place beyond a "bad day for a drug dealer".Frustratingly, two scenes dripping with potential are thrown away. When Shifty and his sidekick literally bump into an acquaintance clearly on the run from something, the drama is eschewed for a cheap laugh.Then a junkie pensioner's penchant for dead cats is again tossed away as a visual gag. Think what Tarrantino would have made of that.Creevy's previous expertise has been in music video shoots, and it shows. Great at creating a vibe - poor at telling a story.When he finds the right creative partner we may have something to enthuse about.A talented ensemble company do their best with thin fare.I suspect that the urban multicultural ingredients here found favour to secure the Lottery Grant which helped to fund this picture.But in buying this ticket they bought a dud.
colin_coyne
Considering that this was the Writer / Director's (Eran Creevy) first feature film (previously he had made several music videos and adverts), and that it had been shot in 18 days on a budget of just £100K, this was a really rather good film.The actors were very competent, especially Riz Ahmed (as Shifty), Daniel Mays (as Chris) and Jason Flemyng (as Glen) who were all very believable in their roles, the narrative moved along nicely, and there were enough twists and turns (especially at the end) to keep everyone interested in the plot – and to what was happening to the characters.The action revolves around two school friends that had lost touch and had just met up again after four years … one of them becoming increasingly involved in drug dealing … much to his friends dismay.Apparently the tale was based on the tale of a boyhood friend of the directors – which heavily influenced the writing and the ambiance of the film … this may well have had a bearing on the Director's feel for the story – and "getting it right" – this passion certainly shone through with regards to the subject matter – and the atmosphere of the finished film.An added bonus (as this was an early preview screening) was that the Director (Eran Creevy) and one of the main cast members (Jason Flemyng – Snatch, Transporter 2, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, etc.) were on hand for a Q&A session with the audience after the film – which was most welcomed and went down very well.It may have been the directors first film – but it certainly won't be his last
