I don't criticise films easily, particularly a Brit thriller as I believe that the home movie industry should be supported whenever possible. I'm writing this however because I found this film completely pointless and it left a bad taste in my mouth. Once the plot gets underway, the developments lack any suspense and are predictable. The violence (which is significant) distasteful and although you don't see the rape (thank goodness) you see the ghastly aftermath and the condition of the brutalised victim. I found the whole thing rather revolting and it taught me nothing new, no new or original insights, no unexpected twists, no meaningful character analysis.
What is more important is that many people watching this movie will feel uneasy and threatened at the thought of young criminals breaking into their homes and causing similar suffering to innocent victims. I'm not saying that such things don't happen but they happen very rarely and are a truly exceptional occurrence. Even during the recent London riots, there was not a single report of anything like this happening. I was born in a multi-cultural part of central London and lived there (mostly in local authority housing) for over 40 years. Not once did I have a remotely similar experience, nor did any of my friends or family and I was proud to have known all sections of the community. Sorry but I found this film devoid of any merit and an ugly waste of time.
What is more important is that many people watching this movie will feel uneasy and threatened at the thought of young criminals breaking into their homes and causing similar suffering to innocent victims. I'm not saying that such things don't happen but they happen very rarely and are a truly exceptional occurrence. Even during the recent London riots, there was not a single report of anything like this happening. I was born in a multi-cultural part of central London and lived there (mostly in local authority housing) for over 40 years. Not once did I have a remotely similar experience, nor did any of my friends or family and I was proud to have known all sections of the community. Sorry but I found this film devoid of any merit and an ugly waste of time.