A One Mann’s Movies review of “Dead Shot” (2023).
“The Troubles” have spawned a lot of films over the years from “The Crying Game” through “Patriot Games”, “Hunger” and “’71” to last year’s “Belfast“. And here’s another, moderately low-budget, effort to join that list – “Dead Shot”. Aside from the terribly vague and contrived (it’s from a random line in the film) title, this actually turned out to be a pretty decent watch.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
After a tragic shooting in Northern Ireland, Michael O’Hara (Colin Morgan) vows vengeance on the soldier who did it: Tempest (Aml Ameen). But recruited into a ‘special ops’ unit led by Holland (Mark Strong), Tempest has returned to London to shack up with his ex-girlfriend Ruth (Sophia Brown). O’Hara joins the IRA’s London unit to exact his revenge.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: NR. (From the BBFC: “Strong bloody violence, threat, language”).
Talent:
Starring: Aml Ameen, Colin Morgan, Mark Strong, Felicity Jones, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.
Directed by: Charles Guard & Thomas Guard.
Written by: Thomas Guard & Charles Guard. (Based on an original screenplay by Ronan Bennett and the book ‘The Road to Balcombe Street’ by Dr. Steven P. Moysey).
Twitter Handle: #DeadShot.
O’Hara (Colin Morgan) about to do bad stuff on the streets of London with Quinn (Steve Wall). (Source: Sky.)
“Dead Shot” Review:
Positives:
- This is a good ensemble cast, amplified by the presence of the acting heavyweights Mark Strong and Felicity Jones. (I struggled to recognise either of them at first!). It probably helps that the director Charles Guard is married to Felicity Jones. (“Now, darling, would you mind if…”).
- The film has an interesting revenge plot (shades of “Patriot Games”, obviously) against the backdrop of a realistically grungy London in the mid-70s. The movie is quite brutal in places: there are really two anti-heroes in this film. And although the film is fairly balanced as to whether your sympathies lie between Aml Ameen playing Tempest or Colin Morgan playing O’Hara, a scene involving a dog will sway most animal-loving Brits firmly on the side of Tempest!
- There is a particularly strong pre-title sequence and a strong and surprising ending. Kudos to the writers for that.
- The directors – The Guard Brothers, Charles and Tom Guard – add some real style into the story. Headlights gliding over open countryside; long lingering shots of running water and the sea; interesting pans and fades. It lifted the film for me above the norm.
- I thought the cinematography by Mattias Rudh was first rate. All the composition and colour-grading is well done, and a shot on a beach in the finale is particularly impressive.
- The music by Max de Wardener is good, and I really enjoyed the use of the song (“The Same” by “The Smile”) over the end-titles.
Negatives:
- Given that these were members of the IRA, O’Hara and Catherine (Felicity Jones) felt a little too soft and cuddly to be believable. They seemed to be being painted by the film as “nice bombers”, which didn’t really sit well.
- I wasn’t sure what the relationship between O’Hara and Catherine was supposed to be. Were they just fellow soldiers of fortune or something more? A sex scene would have helped and added a bit more spice to the mix!
- There was an obvious potentially tense scene involving a threat against Holland (Mark Strong), and I thought “ooh, hello”. But then the film went in a different direction…. they could have perhaps teased with that for some additional tension.
Triggers?
The brief “dog scene” will turn a lot of people off this film. If you were affected by “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3“, you will not enjoy this film!
Summary Thoughts on “Dead Shot”
The words “Sky Original” have often proceeded some pretty miserable watches for me, but this was one of the exceptions (after “A Good Person”, that’s two in a row!) I thought this was a well-made film that kept my interest until the very end.
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Trailer for “Dead Shot”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XggLOjQCaEs .
