Ghett'a Life

An uppercut above your average straight-from-the-streets, low-budget bullet fest, boxing drama ‘Ghett’a Life’ transcends a cliché-ridden script, patchy ragga soundtrack and dubious title thanks to strong characterisation, vivid photography and a compelling sense of righteous anger. We’re in the gang-controlled Kingston suburb of Jungle, where dirty politicians and gun-toting ‘dons’ keep the people divided against one another. Momma’s boy Derrick (Kevoy Burton) doesn’t see why indiscriminate divisions should put a kibosh on his boxing career – but the gym is behind enemy lines. What follows is predictable but punchy enough to be enjoyable: Burton makes for a likeable hero, though he struggles in more emotive scenes, while director Chris Browne keeps things tight, and slips in some furious body-blows against Jamaica’s corrupt system.