Gravy Train Review: An Enjoyable North London Crime Comedy Caper

If you like Guy Ritchie TV shows and movies, you are probably going to enjoy this.  Gravy Train tells the story of a twenty pound note – or rather the people through whose hands it passes on one day in North London.  There’s a diverse cast of characters including the prerequisite number of villains and the obligatory slightly bent copper - it wouldn't be a crime comedy-drama otherwise, now, would it? There’s even a London Geezer voiceover at the beginning and the end to contain the somewhat preposterous goings on in Arsenal and it environs.  Don’t be put off by any of that, though – this is a hugely enjoyable watch with high production values (despite what I imagine was quite a low budget), a great cast and some very deft direction by Benny Slater and great production by Izzy Sexty.  This is their final major project (FMP) at the London Screen Academy (LSA). 

Part of the film's appeal lies in the strength of its ensemble. Rather than relying on a single star turn, Gravy Train succeeds because each performer brings something distinctive to the screen, creating a vivid gallery of characters who are by turns funny, exasperating, sympathetic and alarming – but mostly not quite who they might appear to be at first glance.  It’s well-paced – very little time to get bored with a character before we move on – I laughed out loud at the kid asking for money for a hospice (“Every pound saves lives!” which shows he’s hasn’t quite grasped what they’re for (but I think you will find he wouldn’t care). Oh, did I say it has a great soundtrack, too? It has a great soundtrack, too.

Give it a watch below.  And next time you come across a twenty pound note, spend a moment reflecting on all the lives it has previously touched…