RocknRolla (2008)

Plot of RocknRolla: In the London underworld Lenny Cole is an old world boss, who is contracted by a Russian property developer to obtain planning permission for some doubtful developments. This will come at the cost of €7 million, and as a trust Uri, the Russian has entrusted his most valuable painting to Lenny. Doing Lenny’s wet work is Archy a fearsome mobster. Meanwhile Lenny’s stepson, a rock musician has faked his own death and is holed up in a squat. Somewhere out there is a police informer Sidney Shaw. Stella, Uri’s accountant is tasked with making the money available but she is scamming him, and has hired more modern criminals, One-Two, Mumbles and Handsome Bob, to steal the cash each time it is in transit. Meanwhile the painting has been stolen and Uri has his henchman break Lenny’s right leg as a warning to recover it. But it has passed through other hands and when the Russians who were attacked when carrying the money get to One-Two it could be all over for him. And who is Sidney Shaw?

Content: The is one sexual encounter between Stella and One-Two limited to moments of excitement with no nudity. Lots of drinking and smoking and maybe routinely some drug taking. The Wild Bunch, One-Two, Mumbles and Handsome Bob are seen in their club, playing cards and exchanging wisecracks. Lenny rules the roost, except when having his leg broken on the golf course. Stella is very cool, even when having sex with One-Two. We see Johnny Quid as a boy being looked after by Archy and in adulthood undressed and stoned in the squat as a failed musician. Crucially One-Two, Mumbles and Handsome Bob steal the money, the second time from Russian mobsters who track them down. At different times Lenny’s chosen torture technique of half drowning people is demonstrated.

A View: I found this outing quite difficult to get to grips with in the opening stages, but it gradually comes clear as to what is going on, what is the main plot and what are the possible subplots. There is moment from the Long Good Friday as people meet on the Russian’s yacht in old London Docks. So it is worth putting up with the confusion in the opening stages because it becomes a lot of fun. Worth a watch on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Fun Fact: Roger Ebert said, ‘British actors love playing gangsters as much as American actors love playing cowboys, and it’s always nice to see people having fun’.