Johnny Was

Saw this at Raindance Fest last night. I can see why it's one of the 4 finalists for the Jury Prize -- it's truly original. Never seen a story like it. It moves way beyond the typical action film. It has intelligence and wit. Some of it is very funny. Great writing. But ultimately, it has a serious, thoughtful through line about personal and cultural identity, tribal roots, facing your past honestly and the struggle to move on from a dark past. A truly eclectic cast -- and each role (with a few exceptions) showed the actors to the best of their ability. In the case of Lennox Lewis, he exceeded my expectation. He stole every scene he was in. Vinnie Jones is proving he's an actor of subtly and depth. The two villains - Patrick Bergin and Eric LaSalle -- were best when facing off against each other. Action sequences were not great -- but this isn't an action film with drama -- it's a drama that lives in a world of action and violence. No, this film won't be for everyone. Especially not for those who only want explosions and sex. This is a much deeper script. It stays with you. It's not just popcorn.

I saw this at the Dublin Film Festival premiere. With Vinnie Jones heading the cast you expect knuckle-soup from start to finish, so it took me a little while to realize that this is actually a real movie - about something! I have been a huge fan of Vinnie for many years so it was such a pleasure to see him starring in a film where he is a real person. Great stuff. I also found Patrick Bergin hilarious - his take on his character is just so funny you can't help liking him in spite of him being a terrorist. Eriq La Salle is scary - he's such a good actor I wonder what happened to him after ER - more of him, please. I was very entertained by this film and can't wait to see what Vinnie's up to next!

I'm really tired of films that just show lots of explosions and nothing else. This film was actually about something that matters and it was really fascinating to watch. Never seen a movie that showed the Rasta and Jamaican people mixing with the Irish -- so much more interesting that just a "troubles" film. And let me say, Vinnie Jones, Eriq LAsalle and Roger Daltrey are HOT -- even tho' Roger could be my Dad. And Lennox Lewis is so hot. I never thought he'd be able to act. He was really good. Loved seeing all these hot guys together. Samantha Mumba was really lucky 2 B with them. My only negative is that it started kinda slow -- but really kicked in when it got to the druggie stuff. I loved the music. GOTTA HAVE THE SOUNDTRACK -- really hot reggae mix. Very different. I saw it in Belfast and everyone I talked to loved it. I hope more films like this get made in UK -- that don't just show same old clichés over and over. Did I say Eriq Lasalle was hot? Damn!

Johnny Was just one the audience award at Rebelfest, the indie fest that runs alongside Toronto Film Fest. It even got an encore screening because it sold out and the audience feedback was so good. It beat out ten other features, some of which were also really good. I agree with Innababylon's comments. The movie is a rolicking good bit of madness that gallops all over the place. The characters are larger than life so of course not 'believable' but very engaging. The movie tries to be both a B-Movie and a 'thinker' with a lot of humor. Will it make my top ten? Doubt it, but is it part of a great night in, for anyone who likes a mad little movie with a heart and a brain, you bet. The movie is driven along by an amazing soundtrack of about forty reggae tracks from the On-U label and others. Overall, eight out of ten.

I saw Johnny Was in Dublin and I was totally blown away by the film. The acting, the cast, the soundtrack, everything worked. At first I was a little disappointed that only a couple of the cast were there, but that quickly disappeared when the film began. I must add that I am not the type of person that has NEVER watched a Vinnie Jones film, because I'm far too scared of blood and violence, but this film is very different. It has an intelligent storyline and doesn't focus on the troubles like most other Northern Irish films. As for the ending, it is a stroke of genius. I did not expect what happened and I thought it was a wonderful way to end a fantastic film. I will definitely be showing this film to all of my friends and I wish the cast and crew all the best with it.

What a complete surprise and what a great story. I went to the screening with a bunch of friends knowing virtually nothing about this other than the cast, which was very celeb-driven. It looks like a little low key action movie, and in some ways it is, but the story, the quirky characters and the subject matter - about race, national identity and gangster morality - is much smarter than most of the britflicks of recent years. It is like a strange hybrid of Long Good Friday and dark almost comic-book B Movie, and the low key dialogue plays well against the violence in the background. It completely pulled me in. Vinnie Jones had one foot in his usual hard-man act, but the other was as a much more thoughtful guy, running away from his past. Patrick Bergin plays a larger than life veteran psycho and is responsible for most of the dark laughs. La Salle is great and the opposite of his old ER character. Talking with my friends afterwards, there was disagreement about Samantha Mumba the former pop singer. Some thought she was too low key, but I thought she played the character of a junkie gangsters girl very well. Everyone agreed that Vinnie and Lennox Lewis were the best performances. Old Rocker Roger Daltrey was also good in a smaller role. Some of the action looked a bit wobbly, but London came out looking well, especially Brixton Market. Our verdict: if you are looking for a big budget action movie, this isn't it. But if you are sick and tired of movies which are all flash and no substance, this one with its unusual settings and great characters that stay with you after the movie is over might be for you.

A poorly written, terribly acted movie. Do not waste your time watching this movie. I can't even believe I am wasting my time writing a review of it. An IPLA man(what is the IPLA? a fictitious republican paramilitary group, are the producers scared the IRA or INLA will sue them for using their names?) tries to go straight and hides out in Brixton. His past catches up with him when an IPLA man escapes from prison and seeks his help. Blah blah blah the plot is so terrible I can't begin to try and explain how bad it is. If you want to watch a good movie about the troubles watch In the Name of the Father, The Crying Game or The Boxer, not this tripe.