Music, Style & Culture

LFF 2011: Wild Bill

Dexter Fletcher's directorial debut is an endearing family drama about an ex-con going straight.

The directorial debut of actor Dexter Fletcher is quite the gem. This warm and frequently amusing story of east London gangsters is no Guy Ritchie-esque thriller, but a touching family drama with endearing performances.

Charlie Creed-Miles is the titular Bill, a violent ex-con emerging from eight years in prison. Meanwhile, his two sons have been fending for themselves in their council flat after their mother left them to live abroad with her new boyfriend. 15-year-old Dean (Will Poulter) works illegally at the Olympic site in Stratford, while 11-year-old Jimmy (Sammy Williams) is being drawn into criminal activities. The kids barely know the man who turns up at the flat, and the proud Dean only lets him stay so they don't get taken into care. While it's a struggle to believe Bill's formerly fearsome reputation as he stumbles through his new life, he is in demand from the new crime bosses in town, causing a multitude of problems for his family.

Fletcher's script (co-written with Danny King) treads the well-worn path of the criminal desperately trying to go straight, but it successfully combines gangland warfare with a compelling story of a father and son. Poulter shines as Dean, delivering on the promise he showed in Son of Rambow and the last Narnia film, and it's as much his coming-of-age story as anything. The supporting cast of familiar and new names give their all for Fletcher's labour of love, with Andy Serkis, Olivia Williams, Iwan Rheon, Neil Maskell and Jaime Winstone lending a bit of star power. However, it's the newcomers that stand-out, with Charlotte Spencer a natural as a local girl who catches Dean's eye, and Liz White particularly brilliant as the gangster moll-cum-prostitute who has a big impact of the dysfunctional family's life.

Surprisingly full of humour, it's not of the black kind seen in this year's Kill List, but of the naturalistic, situational comedy. Creed-Miles and Poulter have a testy chemistry with one another, with sparks flying. The film looks terrific for its obviously low budget, with polished cinematography and confident, elaborate set-ups. Fletcher also isn't afraid to dwell on the marvellously expressive Creed-Miles and his contemplations.

A heart-warming and compelling film that just happens to be set in a world of dodgy, vicious characters (Fletcher doesn't hold back when we need reminding what Bill is up against). A fascinating mash-up of familiar genres.

Rating: 8/10