90. Jackdaw; movie review

 

JACKDAW

Cert 15

97 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, violence, drug misuse

Too many filmmakers prioritise the look of their movie over character exploration and storytelling.

Jackdaw is a prime example: its emphasis on style over substance meant that neither Mrs W nor I cared what happened to the key players.

Jamie Childs' film is set in the North East and focuses on Jack Dawson (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), who is seen retrieving a package from the North Sea in its early scenes.

We don't know the contents, why two men on jet skis are chasing him, or anything about Silas, who ordered the job.

Jack hasn't been paid for risking his life, so he hunts for money and retribution.

Along the way, we touch on some late 1980s/early 1990s culture with references to raves and the associated music and drug-taking.

There are myriad motorbike chase scenes and lots of brutal violence with an assortment of deadly weapons.

Thomas Turgoose plays one of the peripheral gangland figures, reminding us of his breakout movie, This Is England. 

Jackdaw is dark and grim, with style echoes of Shane Meadows' movie, but it lacks humour and doesn't elicit empathy for its characters.

Thus, we will likely have forgotten it by next week.

Reasons to watch: Dark and mysterious

Reasons to avoid: Skinny storyline

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None 

Overall rating: 4/10

Did you know? In June 2023, more than 200 people were arrested after a major crackdown on gang related activity by Northumbria Police.

The final word. Oliver Jackson-Cohen: "I think Jamie is such a fascinating person and I think the way his mind works, his film references, they’re so mental and brilliant. And so I think everyone just jumped on board because of their belief in Jamie." Film Stories
 

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