Story elements with potential but overacting, excessive character "development" via narration, lingering on boring shots and oddly long scenes makes it unexciting as well as predictable. Not the worst movie I've seen lately but not one I'd recommend.
20 Reviews
Watchable, not great.
bombersflyup4 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The Bezonians doesn't have an overall story and the good moments too infrequent.
From the writer and director of "Smoking Guns," which was excellent, this one not so much. The majority of the characters aren't good and there's weird individual segments that are basically dead air. In the poker scene we didn't need her to look at her hand, because it could only be one hand and we didn't need the build up and status of Vinnie Jones's character, when they could've just as easily shot him the same.
From the writer and director of "Smoking Guns," which was excellent, this one not so much. The majority of the characters aren't good and there's weird individual segments that are basically dead air. In the poker scene we didn't need her to look at her hand, because it could only be one hand and we didn't need the build up and status of Vinnie Jones's character, when they could've just as easily shot him the same.
Trying Too Hard
stevesky-1508720 March 2022
From the outset this movie will remind you that you've seen it all before. It rips off Tarantino and Ritchie as best as it can without the A List talent. And that's it's problem. With a bit of imagination the director/writer could have put his own spin on the now 20 year old genre, but instead he chooses to rip off the narration style of Snatch. The freeze frame mid action shots of Guy Ritchie and even has a scene early on in a car where the two actors gave a completely unrelated iniquitous conversation about who's a better actor, Pacino or DeNero. What he fails to understand is that Ritchie and Tarantino gave us these styles. To copy them in a similar way is just not good enough. What we are left with is a film that's over written, over acted and over stylised without the budget. The Bezonians club is like an Elephant and Castle cab office from 1970s. It's so small. The characters are more annoying than interesting and you feel like the main guy is just reading pages of dialogue most of the way through. He's Dialling in his narration. It's the difference between learning your lines and thinking about your delivery and using autocue. It's why actors don't use dummy boards off camera. So the film isn't awful. It's just mehhhhhhh. My advice to the director and writer is... do something of your own. The script isn't bad, it's just old. Bring something new to the party.
What the Hell did I just watch!
kerimhmehmet12 March 2023
What is this...??? Poor story telling, poor acting, the Cypriot community would be appalled by this pathetic script. The Director/Writer needs to step away from his duties. The acting was laughable, some of the long scenes seriously made no sense. I cant believe Vinnie Jones accepted his cameo role regardless of the film billed like he was the main actor... clever marketing having his face front the film. Every single actor cant be blamed as my god this was shot so poorly, scenes were too long and irrelevant, all cuts were too mind numbly long. I found all characters to be annoying and truly agitating. These good reviews are no doubt created by friends and even his production team. HOW WAS THIS FILM EVER FUNDED!?!
Barely watchable
redbaron-8619217 December 2021
Some infrequent glimmers of very good dialogue are quickly overwhelmed by overused narration to replace character development, unlikable or annoying characters, implausible and overly long scenes that appear unrelated or irrelevant. If you like Vinnie Jones, he is only in the movie for 5 minutes. The Lola and Willard problem could have been more easily resolved than waiting like lambs to the slaughter. Why did we have to sit through Plato's overly long story about his experience with abortion that did not advance the plot. Sometimes interesting and quirky; but, not worth the time.
British classic
Monty7127 November 2021
Really enjoying films by this director, same director from smokin guns. Really loved watching the actor who played Plato, reminded me of Al Pacino. It was kind of like the Greek version of Goodfellas, some classic scenes especially the debate on who's the best actor, Pacino or De Niro. A proper lads film, sex, violence & humour. If you're a fan of lock stock here's another British classic.
Brilliant
casting-4918827 November 2021
Watchable
bidi-2718917 May 2023
This is a poor man's lock stock, can see trying to replicate but it lacks the acting, story and the music soundtrack. As others have said many scenes with no relevance to story, almost like scenes were dropped on the floor and put in order of pick up.
Vinnie does not appear that much so do not expect the classic vinnie villain from previous films, they could really have got anyone in.
Narrating is good and needed, possibly needed a bit more grit ala lock stock as more towards reading a bedtime story but it keeps you informed on the random screen happenings.
All in all its not dire, watchable if bored.
Vinnie does not appear that much so do not expect the classic vinnie villain from previous films, they could really have got anyone in.
Narrating is good and needed, possibly needed a bit more grit ala lock stock as more towards reading a bedtime story but it keeps you informed on the random screen happenings.
All in all its not dire, watchable if bored.
Loved it
JohnDoe110027 November 2021
Vinnie is Great
rocksteadymutant27 November 2021
Seeing another side to Vinnie as an actor. Well done, kept the essence and worked very well with the other cast. Go Achilles! Lots of hidden treats throughout. I think I spot them all but I'm definitely going to watch again to be sure.
A Gangster Movie with a new twist ... thoroughly enjoyable
andy-P7727 November 2021
I loved watching this movie. The film takes us on a journey that is centred around a group of likeable rogues who hang out at their club "The Bezonians". Owner of the club (Plato) played by Andreas Karras, pretty much takes us through the events that take place as he narrates through the film at intervals cleverly introducing what we need to know about characters as they come into play or the situation that is about to unfold as the story is told pretty much through his eyes. The drama of the film really takes place after a game of poker which has not gone the way it was expected. From there on in, the world of the Bezonians (and Plato in particular) is turned upside down as a very real threat is presented to the group by the appearance of Willard Grieb (Vinnie Jones) a heartless and sadistic killer who comes to collect the debt owed to his "thought to be" girlfriend Lola ( superbly and seductively played by Lois Brabain Platt) for whom he is prepared to kill for. Truth be said... He really doesn't need much encouragement where there is an opportunity to inflict pain and Jones is superb in his role (so please ignore the negative comments from another reviewer here who can't even provide any constructive criticism having nothing to say about the film in any detail whatsoever).
The acting throughout is superb and there really are some fine performances to be seen. From the card game onwards the film takes a distinctive turn and as desperation sets in as the film begins to gather it's momentum with the mood becomes darker and desperate.
The film touches on themes of loyalty, love, loss, faith but above all hope. All these themes are well reflected within the group of Bezonians and how their faith in each other is tested and whether or not they can ultimately be relied upon? Together we stand, divided we fall. It is without question a bitter sweet ending but it's a journey worth taking and if these are themes that might be of interest to you then this is a film I would highly recommend you see. I for one will certainly want to watch this again.
The acting throughout is superb and there really are some fine performances to be seen. From the card game onwards the film takes a distinctive turn and as desperation sets in as the film begins to gather it's momentum with the mood becomes darker and desperate.
The film touches on themes of loyalty, love, loss, faith but above all hope. All these themes are well reflected within the group of Bezonians and how their faith in each other is tested and whether or not they can ultimately be relied upon? Together we stand, divided we fall. It is without question a bitter sweet ending but it's a journey worth taking and if these are themes that might be of interest to you then this is a film I would highly recommend you see. I for one will certainly want to watch this again.
Evocative!
yaseminkafali29 November 2021
Beautifully written and directed by Savvas D Michael and so well played by the cast. The story is very clear and it's character driven. All characters are evenly fleshed out without expositions in the script. Every scene is motivated to tell a story and in this film it's about how a game of poker goes pear shaped and how the 'Bezonians' with the lead character 'Plato' is badly challenged by W. G (played by Vinnie Jones). This feature film reflects revenge, sex, brutality, love, greed, craving for belonging, pride, family system & culture, abandonment and connection. All of those subjects has personally resonated with me hence why I could immerse myself fully when I was watching it. I'll definitely look out for more films written/produced by Savvas D. Michael who seems to work with a great pool of cast and a team behind him who knows how to execute his vision.
Excellent
meldavies7422 November 2021
The is has all the shades of a guy Ritchie film but back when guy Ritchie was young and hungry.
The acting is great, the direction is spot on, the characters are all fleshed out brilliantly and the action has a brutal intensity,
Well done to all concerned for his effort. I predict great things for this crew.
The acting is great, the direction is spot on, the characters are all fleshed out brilliantly and the action has a brutal intensity,
Well done to all concerned for his effort. I predict great things for this crew.
Excellent British Film Making
shannonmcnamee-7842429 November 2021
I watched the bezonians recently after coming across it by accident and I have to say it was so refreshing to watch ....it definitely tell has some guy Ritchie vibes ....I have never seen any of the director previous movies but I will be looking g out for savvas D michaels movie in the future. The movie is shot beautifully and the sound track really adds to the the movie. The acting is very strong and some great characther if I had 1 downside i would of loved to see a bit more of the characther Taz he was so entertaining. Overall I would highly recommend this movie expecially if you like movies like lock stock and snatch.
Cool British Film
andymichaels-553224 December 2021
Brilliant little number. All you want from a Brit film - action, violence, language and humour. A great cast with a few newcomers and some established actors to take you on a journey through North London.
The characters make this film what it is. Not your usual nice people but an assortment of off the wall people who logically shouldn't gel but do.
The characters make this film what it is. Not your usual nice people but an assortment of off the wall people who logically shouldn't gel but do.
Very good
kathyduff-4536329 November 2021
A very good british film. A beautifully shot movie with outstanding soundtrack that really helps the movie. This film is characther based and it has some really strong performances. Overall I would have no problem recommending this film and look forward to Savvas D michaels next movie.
Enjoyable Caper
sarahperkins-892462 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Enjoyable addition to the Savvas boxset, early Guy Ritchie in flavour.
The film follows a company of loveable rogues from a Greek social club in North London, to whom 'love and loyalty' runs deeper than blood, doing what loveable rogues do and as always managing to get themselves into deeper water from which they have to fight (brutally) to survive.
Ironically the force that drives the sequence of events is the goddess that is Lola, more deadlier a species than the males who have somehow overlooked her powers of seduction; polka playing and cold hearted brutality. Lois Brabain Platt nails it. Great performances throughout: Vinnie Jones at Vinnie Jones best; the operatic love struck Achilles (Savvas); devoted, afflicted Anthony (Jamie Crew) who metamorphises into his own hero at the end. Chris Tummings is also great as Mavron Mike whose little weed side hustle brings a lighter and welcome break from the darker predicament they all find themselves in. Andreas Karras and Marina Sirtis turn out stirling performances and i would liked to have heard more from Nina's character (Yasemin Gravitas) who had a lovely presence but little explanation.
All in all an enjoyable 90 mins of film and loveable characters i would like to revisit.
The film follows a company of loveable rogues from a Greek social club in North London, to whom 'love and loyalty' runs deeper than blood, doing what loveable rogues do and as always managing to get themselves into deeper water from which they have to fight (brutally) to survive.
Ironically the force that drives the sequence of events is the goddess that is Lola, more deadlier a species than the males who have somehow overlooked her powers of seduction; polka playing and cold hearted brutality. Lois Brabain Platt nails it. Great performances throughout: Vinnie Jones at Vinnie Jones best; the operatic love struck Achilles (Savvas); devoted, afflicted Anthony (Jamie Crew) who metamorphises into his own hero at the end. Chris Tummings is also great as Mavron Mike whose little weed side hustle brings a lighter and welcome break from the darker predicament they all find themselves in. Andreas Karras and Marina Sirtis turn out stirling performances and i would liked to have heard more from Nina's character (Yasemin Gravitas) who had a lovely presence but little explanation.
All in all an enjoyable 90 mins of film and loveable characters i would like to revisit.
Gritty, tension, loved it!
theomichaels4 December 2021
Awesome cast that really got deep into their characters with Vinnie complimenting the lot. Really enjoyable London gangster film with a mafioso vibe that made for a nice change than the usual. Definitely recommend and will probably watch again.
An enjoyable watch
viennahook4 December 2021
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