Konterr Brilliant and touching

Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Plustown A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

Brendon Jones It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Ali Catterall Gentleman Jack (Stott), his edgy right-hander Steve (Moran), sexy self-styled moll Jenny (Ashfield) and stoner Goat (Monaghan) pull elaborate cons on wannabe villains, buoyed by the motto: "You can't cheat an honest man". Victims include O'Brien, played by Kaye as a lisping ne'er-do-well with a silly haircut and a penchant for cash machine fraud, and nice-but-dim Nigel (Dee), owner of an ailing haulage company.But Jack and Co. find themselves in deep water after they attempt to steal the latter's office equipment and drive it away in a 'borrowed' lorry which turns out to be full of Albanian human traffic. When the immigrants scarper, a little brother and sister are left behind. Grudgingly, Jack becomes their unofficial guardian - but is closely trailed by some murderous parties, while Steve and Jenny, intent on closing that mythical long con, walk headlong into harm.Spivs initially hoodwinks audiences into assuming it's something that it's not, featuring the usual checklist of East End settings, shady characters and slang ("What do you think I am, some kind of meat-puppet?") which must be included by law in all contemporary British crime flicks.However, it soon reveals itself to be both a textured character-study of a drowning middle-aged man yearning for redemption, and a harrowing expose of the illegal immigrant / underage sex slave trade.That the slapstick and tragic elements mostly hang together bears testament to a well-plotted, well-researched script (occasionally sentimental, though never mawkish), along with an immensely touching central performance by Stott. It's rare and refreshing in these kinds of films to find a late fortysomething taking precedence over two young hipsters like Moran and Ashfield. Fine support too from Bassett as Jack's tough-talking sister Vee.A modern Brit crime movie sporting substance over style? It must be a con!

Wendy House A London based film, Spiv has the mood of a classic London based Gangster, or wide-boy, films such as 'The long good Friday', Layer Cake, Lock Stock and two smoking barrels. It tackles fundamental, international, human rights issues. There is a reasonable review posted on "Eye for film'. The review doesn't adequately acknowledge the disturbing topic matter of the film: humans, children as a commodity for trade in Western captialistic culture. Life and sex as something that has monetary, tradeable value.Beautiful lighting and attention to photographics details. For example, during the opening credits we see the Spiv dressing. Smart 3-piece suit, classic style with the last button of the waistcoat undone. Inbetween the calm attention of his dressing we see and hear loud scenes from racecourse. We swiftly move to the spinning a yarn. We watch the Spiv talk in one screen frame while simultaneously viewing the story he is recounting in an inset. This technique of multiple frames is used sparingly, to good effect. The ending is clever and leaves enough to to feed your imagination. It's more of a turning point in a story than a 'wrap up all major themes' ending.For Anglophiles there are some excellent scenes of London, Docklands, Victorian red-brick terraced streets, slummy high-rise flats, gray skies, the London underground. Jack Dee plays a significant bit part as a builder called 'Nige' with impressively powerful perception and sublety. Summary? This is half way between a well constructed art film and a socially conscious film. It doesn't hit the heights of either, it does meld the experiences well. It is worth watching if either genre moves you.

Paul Thompson Spivs has a believable, clever but not over complicated plot. As the film starts with the stereotypical spiv characters we seem in store for a light hearted conmen comedy, an attempt at 'The Sting' maybe. But the film becomes gradually darker and nothing you thought you could predict occurs. The desperation and anguish that overcomes the main character is brilliantly portrayed by Ken Stott, as we are transferred from the feel of 'Shooting Fish' to 'Mona Lisa'. All performances are good with Stott stealing the show but the mafia boss wasn't menacing enough and seemed slightly out of place, while his main henchman was very frightening. The direction was generally OK with some genuinely gripping scenes but some overused flashy camera-work did lose the film some momentum in places. Overall, I enjoyed the film.

markdawnay One of the best movies that i have seen in years, a true and gritty depiction of London life, with a comedic strain that can only be described as classic British humour. Spivs is a also a touching heartfelt story about the horror that is the modern day slave trade. A truly strong and great piece of cinema I can't recommend it enough. Onwards and upwards for the British Film Industry. Support the British Film Industry on Friday the 24th September when SPIVS is released. A film born and breed in Britain. A true depiction of British life today, this witty yet gritty comedy-drama stars: Ken Stott (King Arthur,) Nick Moran (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,) Kate Ashfield, (Shaun of the Dead,) Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy,) Jack Dee and Paul Kaye SPIVS Cert 15 Running time 91 Minutes. Carnaby Films are a totally unique company, funded by the British people, for the British people.