By EWAN McDONALD
(Herald rating: * * * * )
Sunning himself at his villa on the Costa del Crime, retired London crook Gal (Ray Winstone) escapes being squashed by a huge boulder that hurtles off a mountain into his pool. It's an omen: Mr Big (Ian McShane) wants him for one
last bank job and has enough on Gal to make it hard for him to refuse.
He sends his persuader, Don (Ben Kingsley), to negotiate the employment contract. In this violent black comedy, Don puts Gal and his terrified wife Deedee (Amanda Redman) through a horrible ordeal in which persuasion turns into threats, violence and murder.
Kingsley's performance is mesmerising, over the top; watch for a chilling McShane (TVs antique trader Lovejoy) and James Fox, a suitably sadistic criminal again after so many years of playing lesser royals.
Rental video, DVD: Today
• DVD features: movie (88 mins), actors commentary, making-of feature, cast and crew interviews, deleted scenes, trailer.
