Silent Night

Its one of those coincidences that occasionally happen with film releases in that Silent Night has come out at around the same time as another, that while fundamentally different, share novel ideas. I can’t say which as it'll give the game away. The important matter is they can be both be enjoyed in their own right.

Mark (Bradley Taylor) is an ex-con released just before Christmas and determined to go straight. Its tough, and harder still as he can only get low quality jobs that pay badly. He’s also trying to reconnect with his daughter Daisy (Oriana Rodrigues-Cova) looked after by his ex Julia (Angela Terence) which is proving difficult with his criminal baggage.

It’s this baggage that is attractive to local villain Caddy (Frank Harper). It seems another local gang are muscling in on his territory and Caddy is looking for vengeance and send a warning too. Mark has the required skills plus he has something on him.

Mark however well qualified he is, is reluctant to get back into that world. That is until he meets up with an old cell-mate Alan (Cary Crankson). An unusual and volatile person he gets Mark sacked and is more than keen for Mark to take up Caddy’s offer. One last job is the promise and he (Alan) will do the deeds. Mark agrees and sets about the jobs and renewing acquaintances.

Bradley Taylor is very good as the conflicted con wresting with going straight, being there for his daughter and the lure of, what for him, is easy money. However this is very much a collective effort with solid performances all round. But the centre of attention is the Alan/Mark dynamic, with Cary Crankson revelling in the obnoxiousness of the character who repels almost as soon as he appears on screen.

Putting aside the sometimes dodgy dialogue Will Thorne’s overall narrative drive is interesting and effective. This is in no small measure down to the other characters that fill out the story with key developments. The domestic settings bring a chilling authenticity to the ruthless planning and create a palpable menace feeding suspicions that despite appearances no one involved can be trusted. There’s no filler or wastage with each having their own integral part in the film.

Viewers with even the vaguest knowledge of London based gangster films will be familiar with many of the tropes in this film: the ex-con trying to go straight, estranged family, big bosses and so on and so forth. And the script is a bit on the corny side at times. But that aside this is a very satisfying gangster film with a Yuletide touch and enough twists and turns to put a fresh spin on an oft told tale.

Silent Night will be in UK cinemas from 11 December, will be available to stream from 14 December and on DVD from 28 December.