Cert 15
110 mins]
BBFC advice: Contains very strong language, string violence, drug use
Usually, the name Craig Fairbrass prompts a feeling of dread such has been the low standard of British gangster pictures in which he has appeared.
Worse still, he had a role in the abysmal Bula Quo!
Undaunted, his family obviously believe in this project because both of his sons are listed as producers of Breakdown.
I watched this on an streaming link after I had just been to the cinema for three hours of Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight.
In other words, five hours of my Sunday were oozing with bloody screen violence.
Breakdown contains one scene of torture which prompted Mrs W to turn away and yet, ironically, left the most graphic elements to the imagination.
But while Jonnie Malachi's film is uncompromising it is a slight cut above the sort of movie in which I have seen Fairbrass in recent years.
He plays a hitman who works for a crime lord turned country squire in the shape of James Cosmo.
The latter's unusually posh accent belies the grip he has on his 'employees' who he calls 'brothers in arms'.
However, Fairbrass's character wants out of the killing business because he senses the need to keep his beloved wife (Olivia Grant) and daughter (Amanda Wass) safe.
In addition, the film's title relates to his semi-regular hallucinations and flashbacks which are denting his effectiveness in seeing off 'the opposition'.
The question is whether the "brothers" will let him go.
Breakdown's quality of acting is inconsistent. Fairbrass is decent and Cosmo is menacing but some of the support cast are strangely stiff and the film suffers as a consequence.
But the movie does have its moments and those who are into British gangster flicks (they must have a following because there so many) will appreciate it.
Reasons to watch: It will please those into the London gangland flicks
Reasons to avoid: Stomach-churning violence
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 5/10
Star tweet
Men so tough that even @charliesheen let's them win..#BREAKDOWN #NotAKurtRussellMovie #TheyAllHaveToDie
