Capone's Boys

Having read the blurb about this picture, I was expecting a knockabout English period farce at a very low budget. I was wrong. This is a nicely written, well shot (in Liverpool) period drama which transcends its meagre budget. The characters are well sketched and their working class backgrounds counterpoint the slick American peformances offered up by the likes of Al Sapienza ('The Soprano's') and Richard Roundtree (The original 'Shaft'). The story develops from a simple gin scam on board The Mauritania into Marc Warren (Jimmy) becomming a prize fighter for Al Capone's gang and in turn solving the kidnapping of Al's Son (Sonny). The gorgeous Kirsty Mitchell gives a very polished American peformance (she's Scottish!) and Ralph Little (Royle Family) and Stephen Lord excel also. Slow in parts, this film is well worth seeing and is beautifully lit by Nic Knowlands. A good low budget movie that can hold its head up high!!