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Wild Bill (2011)

Director: Dexter Fletcher

Time Out rating

Average user rating

29 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Ask the average man in the street what he’d expect from the directorial debut of child actor turned Guy Ritchie cohort Dexter Fletcher, and the answer will most likely come close to ‘Wild Bill’. Gritty, grotty council estate setting? Check. Brash Burberry-clad blaggers spouting snappy dialogue and brandishing shooters? Check. Cameo appearances from the League of Ritchie Veterans? Check. But for all its predictability, ‘Wild Bill’ is a promising first film, handling big emotions with restraint and integrity, and never sinking too deeply into a mire of Cockernee cliché. In what could well prove a career-making turn, Charlie Creed-Miles (pictured left) plays ex-gangster Bill, who returns from chokey a changed man looking to reconnect with the family he left behind. But mum’s gone Awol, leaving angry teenager Dean (Will Poulter) to keep an eye on his increasingly wayward younger brother Jimmy (Sammy Williams). And it’s not long before Bill’s old cronies start circling, looking for him to get back into the game.

Much of the film’s strength is down to the cast – Fletcher’s old ‘Press Gang’ colleague Creed-Miles is wonderfully sympathetic in the lead role, though he’s often outshone by ‘Son of Rambow’ star Poulter as the clenched, bitter Dean. There’s solid support from the likes of Neil Maskell and Liz White (in a tiresomely obvious hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold role), and a genuinely unnerving appearance from Andy Serkis as the local Mr Big.Fletcher’s direction is unfussy but wholly competent, investing the bleak landscape with something approaching beauty. He may need to step a little further out of his comfort zone next time around, but ‘Wild Bill’ is a solid start.

Author: Tom Huddleston

Time Out London Issue 2170: Mar 22-28, 2012

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User reviews of this film

Mike said...

Posted on Apr 09 2012 20:16 What 'Archgate' says.

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ARCHGATE said...

Posted on Mar 30 2012 12:47 I have no idea why Tom Huddlestone chose to be so condescending about this film - as if he were a school-master grading a little boys work. This is a brilliant and charming film, delightfully paced with an ending which gives a lovely nod to "Shane". Charlie Miles-Creed gives a quietly shattering performance as the ex-con who finds his way back into his families heart - all done without melodrama and soppy music. Mike Leigh could learn a lot from this film - which does not force class issues down the throat of it's audience. I cannot wait to see Dexter's next film - in the meantime I'm going to see this one again - and advise Tom to do the same and give it a more considered review.

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ARCHGATE said...

Posted on Mar 30 2012 12:47 I have no idea why Tom Huddlestone chose to be so condescending about this film - as if he were a school-master grading a little boys work. This is a brilliant and charming film, delightfully paced with an ending which gives a lovely nod to "Shane". Charlie Miles-Creed gives a quietly shattering performance as the ex-con who finds his way back into his families heart - all done without melodrama and soppy music. Mike Leigh could learn a lot from this film - which does not force class issues down the throat of it's audience. I cannot wait to see Dexter's next film - in the meantime I'm going to see this one again - and advise Tom to do the same and give it a more considered review.

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critique said...

Posted on Mar 29 2012 21:59 Likeable London council estate drama which doesn`t take its self too seriously. Fun to be had spotting various Cockney Faces, including Peter-Hugo Daly (shockingly grey-haired...I still remember him as the young Dikey in Going Out). Charlie Creed-Miles and Will Poulter are particularly good. Nothing new here really but very well done. Three and a half stars.

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Busguy said...

Posted on Mar 28 2012 00:29 Watched Wild Bill in a fairly full cinema. All the audience got right into it laughing and even cheering. Personally found some performances a bit broad, the Chavy drug dealer from Misfits was annoying, as was the drunken dad. But otherwise a sound film, pleased to see Charlie Creed-Miles back on form. Well worth seeing on the big screen.

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Zed's Dead said...

Posted on Mar 27 2012 13:55 A poor film.

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john o sullivan said...

Posted on Mar 25 2012 18:12 Above average but not 5 star...smells fishy some of the reviews.. well written ,competently directed with no small bit of wit.. paper airplane scene.
Its good to see the likes of charlie and liz white on screen again as opposed to the burberry mafia.
definetely spread the word as i watched with one other person,while the que of muppets for hunger games stretched round the block... weep silently

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Ian said...

Posted on Mar 25 2012 14:45 The review is about right but I would give it 4 stars.
The film is a collection of cliches from the absent father seeking redemption to the angry eldest son who had to grow up too quickly to Liz White's tart with a heart performance.
Leave all that aside and at the heart we have a well made and excellently acted film.
All of the main performances are uniformly excellent and perhaps this film should be required watching for all teenagers.
Sadly I was the only person at the viewing I just attended which is a shame because this is a film that needs seeing and with a group of "big" studio easter blockbusters due out next weekend I don't see this lasting long at multiplexes.
See it soon before it is gone.

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George said...

Posted on Mar 25 2012 13:49 Excellent film, really enjoyed it. Not really a gangster film, more of a coming of age, kitchen sink drama. Great soundtrack.

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Foxy said...

Posted on Mar 24 2012 22:51 Best film so far this year

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critique said...

Posted on Mar 24 2012 20:53 Sutton - YES!

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Harry M said...

Posted on Mar 18 2012 01:59 Languid paced homage to the classic westerns. Emotionally gripping performances particularly from the younger cast members. Poignant subject matter, beautifully realised with scenes that stay with you long after viewing. So obviously I was happy to stumble across this at LFF. Augurs mightily for Fletcher, Poulter and Sammy Williams futures.

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Jackson Lane said...

Posted on Mar 16 2012 14:36 I see this film wiv my man moyles and co at the box the other night, and sorry but disagree with time out's review. This film is 6/5. Bad Ass Film. Defo gonna see this again

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Lisa J said...

Posted on Mar 16 2012 10:38 The best film in a long time...I cried, cheered, laughed and felt good watching this film. I cannot say that about many films. A sheer delight.

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Tim Cole said...

Posted on Mar 15 2012 12:02 I'm a producer of WILD BILL so am totally biased but this is what HEAT magazine has to say "‘One of the best written, best acted, best directed British films you'll see this year’ 5 stars

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