Film noir? I Think so. It contains some of the classic ingredients. Narration, urban locations, a sultry lead male with chips on both shoulders (for no other reason than that his childhood was stolen from him?) and being in a place that he really doesn't want to be. A strong, mysterious female.
The camera work would not be to everyone's taste. Hand held a lot using available lighting? The result isn't always easy to watch. There are a lot of 'in-your-face' close-up shots, which Luke Goss lends himself too brilliantly. The film appears to be built around the editing, which really works and is very clever. The soundtrack was unobtrusive and enhanced the film. I like the fight scenes, no big demonstrations of pushing over large pieces of furniture, it didn't drag on for minutes just filling celluloid, no unrealistic sound effects. You don't need to know how Viktor became able to kill a man quickly with his bare hands.
Well cast in my opinion. Luke is pleasing on the eye for close up and his expressions showed all the emotion, or lack of it, the part required; no passion available - Perfect. I want to say he was very 'cool', but the character wasn't suppose to be cool, he was a boy on a mission and knew no other way to act, which just happened to come across as 'cool'. The supporting cast, mostly recognisable from any violent British film or grisly TV drama, played their parts admirably. Oh, and young Viktor? Elliot Greene, I hope shooting up people hasn't left him disturbed in any way. Or is he just being primed for the remake of Scum? I think without even realising it, or being told to, he played young Viktor with the same stealth and detachment that Luke played old Viktor.
I liked the twisting, or is that twisted? plot which made you wonder what was going on half way through then all made sense in the end, and what a conclusion. . .
Favourite shot – The expression on Viktor's face when he shoots the person under the table.
Best line: "Sorry to hear about your Mother". "Why? You didn't even know her" – a response all should be allowed to give when telling people they lost a parent when they were in their teens or younger and not be considered rude or insolent
