The Wee Man (2013) User Reviews

Ferris wheels within wheels

[Lejink · 7/10 · 20 February 2015]

As a Glaswegian, I was certainly aware of the real-life main criminal characters in this film without knowing all the ins and outs of who did what to whom, when and why. I largely looked in vain however for actual Glasgow locations, although the notes here tell me that's because the local police refused cooperation, which isn't hard to understand, watching the film.

The film itself is a tough, often violent look at turf wars in Glasgow and in particular the rival bosses fighting it out for control and centres on Paul Ferris, a very well known character in these parts. It tells his story using childhood flashbacks to demonstrate the influence of his old-fashioned tough-love father, his friendship with two childhood buddies, whose fates at the end of the film help convince Ferris to go straight at last and of course his introduction to violence amongst both police and thieves which helped lead him on his criminal path.

The story itself of a gangster's rise and fall isn't original and doesn't really aim for any great dynamism or originality in the direction either. Its striving for realism is limited by the afore-mentioned substitution for Glasgow by London, the noticeable (but not unwelcome) tempering of the way brutal beatings-up and shootings are depicted, plus the character acting in the cast isn't completely consistent.

Martin Compston is slightly restricted in his portrayal of the titular character Paul Ferris by his baby-face demeanour but otherwise carries off a tricky, if clichéd part with plenty of conviction. John Hannah as a scheming would-be kingpin and Denis Lawson as Ferris's father lend experience to their parts and probably stand out accordingly from the rest of the cast.

One could argue that the film is skewered too much in favour of Ferris's viewpoint and indeed the criminal lifestyle and modus-operandi altogether with the police and prison officials invariably shown as corrupt, barbaric and above the law they supposedly serve. Nevertheless the story, though hindered by the intrusive insertions of flashbacks to young Paul, in a failed attempt to demonstrate the child being father to the man, has a kinetic energy which keeps you watching until the bitter end.

Not an easy watch or even a great watch, but otherwise a good attempt at a contemporary true-crime story.

Mildly Entertaining Watch, But Takes Real liberties With The Truth

[syphongb · 5/10 · 27 March 2015]

I read the book "The Paul Ferris Conspiracy" and really enjoyed it, it had a tang of truth about it and a compelling narrative. This adaptation though, it's a different story.

Never in the book, or indeed during Ferris's actual life, did he witness a point blank murder while a little boy. Thompson barely ever spoke to Ferris the whole time he dealt with him, he always got others to do business for him. His early knife crime exploits...Ferris went to lengths to try to explain that they always slashed, never stabbed...it's the difference literally between life and death, no young lad would have tried to carry out a mass murder like that! The gunfight at the beginning - in reality it was two guys firing old farmer's shotguns at each other, the film turned it into a Mexican cartel war. The revenge attack was just movie rubbish, total exaggeration.

The portrayal of Ferris himself was pretty good, and the Junior role was even better, although Junior barely ever got involved in violence himself. He was also a smackhead and more fond of wearing tracksuits then actual suits! Worth watching, but it's far removed from reality.

controversial

[martinrobertson300482 · 7/10 · 20 March 2013]

A film about infamous Glasgow gangster Paul Ferris, has long been in the pipeline. I remember hearing rumours off Robert Carlyle playing the part many years ago, and that would off been awesome! Now they've finally got round too making this controversial offering, you'd be hard pushed too find anyone better in the role than the largely unknown Martin Compston. Who does a great job here. Problem is a lot off the rest off the stars seem completely miscast in their roles, and a lot off this 80's/90's set story has clearly been filmed in the present day, with not much effort into making it look like otherwise.

There's no doubt that there is a great story here, and I did enjoy the movie because off its complicated, based-on-true-events style plot. But for a film in development for so long, you'd think there would be more success in other parts off its production.

John Hannah is only in the movie so people who are only interested in well known actors may watch it. Same with Patrick Bergin, Who doesn't pull off a Scottish accent. Its hard too know how much off the story is true as well, what with it being told from the perspective off Ferris (and being based on his book) with the parts that try too make him look as innocent as possible/try to make you sympathise with him falling flat, when you know a lot off the bad things that happened in the real life events that encouraged this movie, have been conveniently cut out.

True-life story that stands on its own merit as a good gangster film.

[guchrisc · 22 January 2013]

"What must be appreciated is that war among civilians,such as I am describing, is ever so much more ambiguous and enigmatic than a war between nations". Joe Bonanno.

No pop-corn was crunched, by a decent-sized Glaswegian audience, as they intently watched this film.

Fact. There was another boy who grew up in Blackhill. He avoided drink and got into politics, becoming a local councillor, then council leader, then elected to the Scottish Parliament and held ministerial office. Not all people from Blackhill are the same. Not all Glaswegians are the same.

Male lead plays a boy who grew up in the Blackhill area of Glasgow. The area was a scheme (peripheral estate), which was well known for its criminality and violence. The fear of violence that pervaded this, and similar areas of Glasgow, is shown well in early parts of the film, and throughout it.

The boy is shown trapped in this violent environment, and as he grows up, he has to try to cope with this reality. This film is based on the autobiography of his life. A generation ago, there was a film entitled 'A Sense of Freedom', and this film is of the same genre. The main events in this film occurred about two decades ago in Glasgow. It is amazing that it has taken so long to make a film of those events, as there was always a decent gangster film to be made on the subject. Organized crime in Glasgow is not highly structured, it is based around blood-families and this is shown well in the film. Casual violence is also associated with territorially-based street-gangs.

Lead male acts well, as does the rest of the cast. Main gang-leaders are played well and convince in their roles of gang-leaders oozing cunning and inspiring fear. Their names were well known to Glaswegians, this reviewer has been in company where a certain name has hardly dared to be whispered.

The main events in the film will be familiar to many Glaswegians. It has been too long since this reviewer read the autobiography, or any thing else on the subject, to see how closely the film sticks to this. However, broadly, film sticks to events that are well known; legally, in at least one version of events, or just as mere street gossip.

The film tries to give explanations, which causes the film to jump about a bit chronologically. Real events are shown, but sometimes the chronology is changed. Other real events are added to, for legal or artistic reasons, and they will be easily spotted by Glaswegians. Most of the main events will be familiar to Glaswegians. Outsiders would be surprised how truthful some things were, sometimes just very little details.

The film was not made with a lot of money and this sometimes shows in some stage-sets. There was very little location shooting done in Glasgow, which no doubt Glaswegians will miss and notice. Those not familiar with Glasgow, please note, this does not ruin the film, but please be aware, the real-life Glasgow locations were less grand and more grim. One particular location could not be filmed as it had been demolished. A well-known story, which sadly is not in the film.

I remember reading 'Donny Brasco' many years ago, thinking it would be a great film, and not happy when the film came out, as it was very different from the book. However, 'Donny' is a good film. Treat this film the same way. For artistic and legal reasons, sometimes things need to be changed. The recollections of one person may not match those of someone else.

Some criticize this film for glamourizing violence. This reviewer disagrees. Criminality, gangsterism and violence are de-glamourized by this film.

This film should always have been made. The subject matter makes that so. It is a good gangster film, hence; 7/10.

A pretty decent movie.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 29 December 2017]

I wasn't sure what to expect, a fairly absorbing movie dramatising the life of infamous Glaswegian Paul Ferris. A gangster with a degree of notorioty, the film puts him in a fairly good light, I'm not too sure that was the case in real life events. Well acted for the most part, Martin Compston is always a great performer, he brings the film to life. I have to say I loved Rita Tushingham's turn as Rita, not in it for long, but she was great. The violence was well realised, hard hitting and visually strong, great effects, explosions etc. The period detail was excellent, great cars, clothes etc. It's not a film I'd make a regular watch, but a decent watch nonetheless. 6/10

Clichéd but very entertaining

[MattyGibbs · 7/10 · 29 June 2014]

The Wee Man is the true story of a Scottish gangster. It's a story told a million times before and there are no surprises in the script. I had no idea who the subject was and to be honest this film probably works better if you don't know it's a true story.

Notwithstanding the overdone subject matter I found this to be an absorbing and entertaining film. This is in no small part due to a superb cast. Martin Compston is an actor I like and he is excellent in the lead role here. With top rate actors in support like John Hannah and Denis Lawson, The Wee Man was always going to be a cut above the normal British gangster film.

It's fairly violent but not excessively so and the script is sharp with no time filling scenes. My main gripe with the film was that the gangster is maybe dealt with a bit too sympathetically.

If you are looking for a decent gangster film then this is well worth watching.

About time they gave the Scots a shot

[Groverdox · 7/10 · 8 November 2019]

"The Wee Man" is an above average British gangster flick that has a serious pacing issue in the final act, and too few memorable characters, to make it a classic.

There are so many British gangster flicks that there are even a few that are considered classics, such as "The Long Good Friday", "Get Carter", and "Mona Lisa". I've never seen one set in Scotland, though. This one is allegedly based on a real person. The movie feels fairly realistic as it shows his embrace of crime and what led him to it. You can empathise; the man isn't just a cold hearted killer.

When it gets involved with the details of criminal life, the movie loses a bit of ground because it's hard to tell who everybody is. The movie eventually becomes a series of shootings that tries to wrap it up a bit too quickly.

Despite having an R18+ rating here in Australia the violence isn't particularly graphic, but there is a fair bit of it.

It's probably a must-see for British gangster film fans, but anybody else can skip it.

Great Film

[paddingtonpedro · 7/10 · 3 September 2013]

I watched it with my girlfriend the other night and thought it was a great film, you don't get many Scottish gangster films that make it to film, the only other one i can think of off the top of my head is 'A sense of freedom' the story of Jimmy Boyle, my girlfriend also loved it apart from not understanding the accent to well (she is form Sussex you know,There was everything you would expect to find in a gritty Scottish film. I have a lot of Scottish friends down south in London, and i have urged them to give it a go, i'm sure they will enjoy it as much as i do, i it was recommended by me from a friend so i gave it a whirl and thoroughly enjoyed it, would i watch it again... of course i would without question.

One Sided

[lisapatrick · 3/10 · 20 January 2013]

Went to see this in the cinema and thought it would be hard hitting and exciting. Had high expectations but was really let down. Firstly, all the woman cast members were terrible. Acting left a lot to be desired and were wooden and frankly annoying. Stand out performance was from the actor who played Arthur Jr (Fat Boy.) Being from Glasgow- the accents were ridiculous- if you come from the South Side of Glasgow you don't talk like you are from Edinburgh. Some of the more violent scenes were quite good. The most annoying thing about this film was the portrayal of Paul Ferris. He was not a hero, he did not stab and scalp people because he was bullied as a child. He was a criminal and a thug. Its as if someone has listened to Paul Ferris' side of the story and not listened to anyone else. The film was mince. Would give this a miss if you are interested in the Glasgow Gangster scene as it does not ring true to what really happened.

The Accents!!!

[Rorschach1984 · 6/10 · 28 April 2016]

I must say, having lived in the East end of Glasgow all my life and not far from the films setting in Blackhill, I thought the accents were hilarious. I must admit, I quite like the actors - Martin Compston is a decent actor and so too is John Hannah. Regardless, some of my family still live in Provanmill/Blackhill, and I couldn't stop laughing at the accents! I mean, the guy that plays, is it Arthur Thomson. Didn't he have an Irish accent? Maybe they should have just kept with the good old Glaswegian accent and just subtitled it; like they normally do when English TV crews come here and interview Glaswegians for some documentary. That would have kept the authenticity perhaps.

Nonetheless, is it a good film? It is a worth a watch if you are not Glaswegian, I think. For Glaswegians, especially for those of us who live in the East end, it borders on hilarity and not because of the content.The film deals with serious issues. It is just because the accents are so soft and out of context. And I know that they had to soften it for the purposes of a wider audience,but come on, no one in the east end of Glasgow speaks like that.

Disjointed, and poor dialogue ruin a good story.

[chuckylewin · 4/10 · 22 February 2015]

British cinema has not been at its best in recent years. All of our most brilliant story tellers go to Hollywood. The story here is good. Compelling even. The main characters journey from scared boy to prolific gangster is a decent enough. Rather than being a bad story done well, this is a good story done badly. The writing isn't great, although the acting is for the most part decent. The film fails because the narrative is massively disjointed, which is a shame because the production values seem quite high and if a little more care had been taking in 'how' to tell this good story then it would have been a decent film. Watch if you have nothing better to do.

A Great Film

[raymondburdis · 10/10 · 24 August 2013]

A stunning film! My mum thought it was better than the original God Father, I don't know about that but I thought Martin Compston and John Hannah's performances were powerful. They was not allowed to film in Glasgow and were forced to shoot in London which was a shame but I think it come across OK. It was slated by the critics, surprise surprise, but went on to take number 2 box office average first week under Les Miss not bad for a film shot on a shoe string. All in all it is another British film and a bit of support wouldn't go a miss folks.

I went out and bought 10 DVD's and gave them to my friends... I suppose I would though being the director!

Ray xxx

Yeah okish I guess

[gibbs-18172 · 6/10 · 29 November 2020]

If you have your eyes closed at the first 10 minutes this sounds like a real bad violent film of the highest order. In reality it has the ever gorgeous Claire Grogan which always neutralizes any bad vibes. To be honest it's a Scottish film with the same 5 Scottish actors, howabouts some diversity eh.

The true story of thug Paul Ferris, let's not quite make him a hero Ferris did some terrible things , I'm sure theres some Glaswegians with physical , emotional and psychological scars that are still raw. This film avoids this and kind of puts Ferris on a pedestal above the Law and a " good type " of gangster. It's a shame we didn't see the genuine Paul and his friends after all the Banks are fully portrayed badly.

However with that said its interesting in the main and rather sad to see the lives in one Scotland's biggest cities being so corrupted by crime. Its rarely mentioned passed their borders but Scotland still have huge problems and this film could have been set in 2020 if you had thrown in a few mobile phones and wi-fi.

A good try but needed more content.

Wow! Shocked!

[stevewilson11 · 1/10 · 28 June 2013]

I always refused to read ferris's book as I know him to be a complete liar and a bully! But knowing a family member was going to be represented in this film (Arthur Thompson Sr) I had to give it a watch. now i feel compelled to speak on his behalf as he and Rita rip are no longer with us, and oh my god! the story is completely fabricated and I mean completely! For a start my uncle Arthur was never convicted of a single murder yet according to this "true story" ferris saw him shoot someone point blank when he was young, sorry but how can u say he did this without evidence it's slander! Doesn't surprise me as ferris always wanted to be like Arthur! It's like the film swapped there personalities! Arthur was a gentleman and a business man, not a bloody no mark! Ferris never met Maggie!! Never mind help out with revenge! And Rita was a lovely woman not this bitter twisted character they have portrayed! Prime example 1966 was when poor mags died, ferris was 3!!!!!! Right from the start is a fabrication, the whole banks brothers stuff is all rubbish it was the welsh family! They were responsible for Maggie's death keep in mind ferris is 3 years old at this point! Also ferris had to go to that house because he was seen in front of witnesses killing a man and his dog!!! And fat boy while a relative of sorts is portrayed well to a degree, I know he's dead but like I say this film is so off the mark, he was a heroin addict not coke?! And Arthur didn't die in a pub bless him he died at home! The man had a heart of gold n yes maybe he did things he shouldn't have but it was always in retaliation n they were always in the business no civilians! Ever! I just don't understand how they can base it in a "true story" when they've added 30 years to ferris life just to get him included in events he had no part in to make him look Gd! The film itself isn't too bad but is no way a true story, no way!!!

Potentially Interesting Material Terribly Handled

[Neesto · 2/10 · 21 March 2015]

This film's greatest crimes are arguably not those perpetrated by the low-life who are endlessly romanticised in what is a barely fit for TV offering, but rather the baffling miscasting (the previously excellent Compston - try Sweet Sixteen for a legitimate performance - is like a child in man's clothing), the endless line-up of wildly un-Glaswegian accents (Patrick Bergin's Arthur Thompson is more Irish than Guinness), the melodramatic sentimentality, faux-gangster banter, spit-through characterisation and directionless, erm, direction. I should have hoped that these characters would die off one by one to pay for their amoral existences, but ultimately, I simple hoped they would die to bring this film to an end.

Grim gangster film

[elliotjeory · 5/10 · 27 July 2020]

A semi-interesting crime film, grim in parts. Ok acting and action.

Raw and dramatic, worth watching with some funny (odd?) twists

[raustin-10 · 8/10 · 21 January 2013]

I was interested to see this movie as I had heard about it in production and thought a Scottish gangster film would be entertaining. Well, first you have to tune in to the Scottish accent which my wife found pretty hard. But other than that I found it a very enjoyable romp with a few scenes that make you flinch or smile but without the use of close up gore. How accurate it is historically is questionable but that is true of almost all "true life" movies, nevertheless the characters are well developed and largely believable and there are some great performances from Martin Compston as Ferris, John Hannah as Tam McGraw and particularly Stephen McCole as a troubled Junior Thomson. Watch it with an open mind and enjoy, The Godfather it isn't but for a low budget UK produced movie it is good entertainment.

Whitewash!!

[natashabowiepinky · 5/10 · 29 December 2013]

Oh, I'm tired of this kind of film. So tired. I've seen it a million times before... And the usual 'Based On A True Story' moniker doesn't get it off the hook either. It's grown men acting like little boys in a big city (In this case Edinburgh) double crossing each other to prove who's top dog, while a corrupt police force looks on. There's drugs, booze, a strip joint with the ugliest broads this side of Essex, and a lead character who wants to leave this pointless rivalry and make 'a fresh start'. How nice. All the usual clichés in one place.

Something tells me this script was approved by it's real-life subject Paul Ferris, as it shows him as a real family man, who managed to recover from a rough upbringing to become a big name on the streets. He might have got involved in a few shady dealings... but most of the time he was fitted up by the coppers, and what he did do was to support his wife and son. Besides, everyone else around him was so vile and nasty that his own antics paled in comparison. YAWN. Change the record.

Next up: A wart-and-all biopic of Ronnie Biggs, who was a good chap at heart and only committed The Great Train Robbery because he needed medicine for his sick mother. You heard it here first... 5/10

Dreadful acting and ridiculously one sided

[McEwansExported · 25 April 2017]

This film is truly awful. The lead actor is totally out his depth as a Glasgow gangland enforcer and the way the story was portrayed was nothing short of a pantomime in it's attempt to position the lead character as the hero.

Does this film have any redeeming qualities? No!

If you think you will see a good British gangster film full of big characters, violence, betrayal and other must have ingredients you are wasting your time.

Do not bother to watch this, you will be angry at how amateurish it is.

Accents were bad bordering on humorous

[petergarland007 · 3/10 · 18 February 2013]

The decision the producers of this film to use Edinburgh accents for events and characters set in Glasgow really annoyed me. They missed an opportunity to make a really gritty film. The authentic hard-man Glasgow accent is terrifying. If they thought it was impenetrable for the wider audience, what is the problem with subtitles? This has got to be better that the RSAMD/voices. There are some recognizable actors which brings a smile, were they convincing as lower-demographic Glaswegians? Not by a mile. Stephen McCole as Junior Thompson steals the show performance wise, I am sure we will be seeing more of him,hopefully with improved direction and screenplay as there are bits of this which made me guffaw with derision.

A Scottish Remake Of The Purge

[Theo Robertson · 2/10 · 4 April 2015]

Having watched a lot of recent Hollywood blockbusters and thrillers of which of which THE PURGE sequel ANARCHY was the most gripping and thought provoking I thought perhaps I should diversify my viewing a bit . THE WEE MAN is a low budget crime bio-pic centered around Paul Ferris who was something of a cause celebre career criminal from a couple of decades back where he was found not guilty of a double murder . Now I'm not a big fan of these type of films because they're not very good and always seem to have the production values of a TV Sunday drama but a change is as good as a rest and sat down to watch THE WEE MAN . Within a very short period I thought was watching a remake of another film - a Scottish remake of THE PURGE !

Supposedly set in Glasgow it presents the city as a lawless wasteland where murders , rapes , stabbings and scalpings are everyones favourite past time . It's no good calling the cops because they're too busy organising death squads to abduct and maim passer bys . Is it any surprise that young Paul Ferris grows up to be a criminal , but please don't condemn him because he only kills and maims other criminals who did something to deserve it - or that's what the film is trying to tell us . I'm from Edinburgh so there's no way I'd be sticking up for Glasgow unless that city deserved it and this film is so bad I feel the need to defend the majority of Glaswegians who are friendly happy go lucky salt of the Earth types

You don't have to be a career criminal to think if there's not only serious exaggeration but downright lies are going on here , same as you don't have to have ever served a prison sentence to know that the screws aren't going to just open up a cell and let you commit murder to get rid of a rival That's not how things work in Britain , maybe in South America or some other third world prison but not in Britain

Some people on this page have pointed out many factual errors so allow me to contribute something I know is totally incorrect - the scene where Thompson Snr gives Ferris a safe house in Rothesay . Cut to a scene where Ferris and his wife stop their car outside a mansion that later ends with a police raid . Thompson did indeed have a holiday flat in Rothesay that got raided while Ferris was staying there but that's all it was - a holiday flat in a tenement which coincidentally is the same Rothesay street I lived in for four years , not some sprawling mansion with landscapes of hills . The only thing you'd see from the window would be the tenement opposite . This factual embellishment sums up this truly dreadful ugly film . Some things might have happened in reality at the most basic level but not anything like is portrayed here with massacres taking place left , right and centre . No wonder no one in Scotland wanted to co-operate with the production and had to be filmed in England due to the way it insults Scotland and its greatest asset -its people

thrilling

[westhambill · 10/10 · 15 August 2013]

Ray Burdis has been an entertaining talent to British audiences since the 1970's others may remember him from spoof cop series 'Operation Good Guys' or even the excellent film 'Love, Honor and obey'; either way he also directs and writes. This is his take on the auto biography of Paul Ferris the notorious gangster from Glasgow. Ferris is played by Martin Compston ('Sweet Sixteen', 'Sister' and 'Strippers vs Werewolves' - cant win em all) and as ever he really delivers.

The film takes us back to Ferris' early days and the Glasgow of the 1970's when he was picked on by the Welshes for supporting the wrong team and as a result he claimed he developed debilitating psoriasis (in his book). His father tells him to be a lion and never a lamb and after being pushed too far he becomes just like them. Only a lot more violent. Thus begins his life of crime and violence.

He gets sent to a detention centre and after a few more run ins at the age of just nineteen the local heavy Arthur Thompson ( locally called 'The Godfather') takes him on as an 'enforcer' and he takes to it like a duck to water, quite a lot of 'water' to be honest. Thompson is played by Patrick Bergin who always does great character roles and never really gets the recognition he deserves, still I digress. This then takes us on a spiral of violence that ultimately has to get out of control for all concerned.

So is it any good? Well it depends on the knowledge of the viewer; as a film it is ruddy good but as a piece of fact based historical drama then there are many who say it about as accurate as that American film that found the enigma machine on a U Boat. The accents go from brilliant Glaswegian to a bit Edinburghish, which I am fine with and at least they are all Scottish. Portraying Ferris as a loving family man who was pushed into a life of crime is also a bit of a stretch, but that is following his book so it was always going to be a bit along the lines of 'I'm not a complete monster' as with the Krays brothers people always said 'they weren't all bad, they loved their mum'., well not much in the outstanding good will department, but it is a start. However I judged this as a film and I thought it was extremely good but not a keeper hence my rating but I wish Ray Burdis all the best in his next venture and it is good to see a film that

Aye right

[johnnewlands-99420 · 3/10 · 5 May 2020]

This is based on a true story, just like Fargo. What lets the film down is the inability to find any Glasgow accents other than Compston. Between Irish and stage school Morningside it doesn't make for realistic viewing. If everyone with a posh accent slumming it had been shot the film would have been 15 mins. And Clare Grogan clearly was hoping for Ewan McGregor and not his uncle in a string vest. Best avoided unless you think drug dealers who want to protect 'civillians' are credible.

Unrealistic, but enjoyable.

[ianjameswatson · 2 December 2013]

It was incredible to watch, but it put me off knowing that it was a true story, as it just seemed like a gangster fantasy. It was violent for no reason and slightly annoying at times. The main actor playing Ferris was brilliant. I almost felt myself acting his scenes after I watched it. He played the script off realistically and I really wanted to believe him. It's very rare that I'm on the edge of my seat. He was so intense, in the right way for this role. Great job, someone give this guy more work. Some of the accents were a little confusing. I'm pretty sure none of the actors were from Glasgow, but whatever, I'm sure anyone outside Scotland won't notice. I would've liked to have seen Ferris and his Dad act more together. Those scenes with just him and his dad were beautiful to watch. Fantastic acting! In some parts, I really caught a glimpse of working class Glasgow, however, I think it should've been portrayed slightly darker. It was a bit candy floss compared to "NEDS". I didn't feel like I was watching Glasgow. At times it could've been based in an old London setting. Overall, it's a great film to watch with the boys. It was intense but I could imagine it would be fun to watch it with others. It shouldn't have been portrayed as a true story as it may have been slightly more successful. But great film, decent acting and visually entertaining.

Disappointing

[jb_rfc_1 · 3/10 · 23 October 2013]

As a Glaswegian I had high hopes for this film but was left bitterly disappointed. The acting and direction of the film was pretty poor throughout. Arthur Thompson sounds Irish through the whole film, probably because he was played by an Irish actor, which leaves you asking, why cast an Irish actor that can't do a Scottish accent as Glasgow's godfather? A lot of the other actors attempts at Glaswegian accents were awful as well. I understand we have a distinct way of talking which is not only hard to portray but hard for others to understand, but that takes the authenticity out of the film. Parts of the film are cheesy and I was left cringing at times, especially the parts about the child ferris. Mostly I was just disappointed because it's such great story and the film just doesn't do it justice. I would love to see a high budget remake with better actors. I genuinely think if that was made it would be gangster classic.