Perrier's Bounty

Unlike its cockney equivalent, the Irish gangster movie – however hackneyed its storyline – can usually be relied upon to deliver a modicum of wit and flair. ‘Perrier’s Bounty’ is a prime example: it marries a predictable plot – Cillian Murphy owes money to some bad fellas, complications ensue – with a goodly portion of smart banter, off-kilter characterisation and knockabout violence.

The film is flawlessly cast, with Murphy’s put-upon hero ably backed by Jim Broadbent as his world-weary Pa and Jodie Whitaker as the emotionally compromised woman in his life, while a monstrous, towering Brendan Gleeson lords over proceedings as the titular crime bigwig. They bring a sense of playfulness and pathos to the project that probably wasn’t there in the busy, amateurish script, stuffed as it is with twists, switchbacks and gangland clichés. Ian Fitzgibbon’s direction is a little flat and uninspiring and the urban photography is unnecessarily gritty and downbeat. But despite these setbacks, ‘Perrier’s Bounty’ is still a pleasure to watch: not exactly memorable, but packed with enough intellect, incident and strong performances to justify the investment.