With a different take on the typical crime family drama, Down Terrace takes a slightly more laid back approach to the genre with plenty of tea-drinking and casual smoking to tone down the underlying tension brought about by trying to identify the unknown informant responsible for sending Bill (father) and Karl (son) to prison.
Immediately after being released from jail for unknown reasons, Bill and Karl return home to Maggie–the mother of the house. Confusion erupts when the dysfunctional family struggles to identify the unknown informant. Could it be the family friend? What about the dirty cop they pay for intelligence?
As the plot unfolds Karl’s ex-girlfriend, Vilda, shows up at their doorstep pregnant with his child. Unhappy about the thought of being a grandfather, Bill does his best to trick Karl into thinking that the kid isn’t his. Maggie is the quiet one in the family but strongly dislikes Vilda and agrees that grandchildren will just complicate things. Karl is tormented by constant insults of his soon-to-be-wife and is sick of his father’s control over him. This eventually triggers fits of rage throughout the movie. Still the family continues to try to identify the informant that is telling the police of their crimes (which aren’t really ever told to us). Trust becomes a major issue for all the criminals that work with the family because they are worried about getting ratted out by the unknown informant. Murder becomes a routine exercise as the movie progresses with the hopes of killing the sneaky informant.
There are so many unanswered questions throughout the movie, including why the two relatives went to jail in the first place and what exactly they were doing that was so bad. They do smoke a lot of marijuana during the movie, which could be why they went to jail. Possibly for selling it at the club they own. Or it could have been because of violent actions. None of the characters in the movie really have a problem killing one another even if they are close friends. This hints towards the sinister characteristics of the family. The entire movie mainly takes place in the home of Bill, Maggie and Karl. Without much change in atmosphere, you get somewhat bored of constantly watching Bill and Karl scream in each others faces in their living room while Maggie whips up some tea for them after the verbal thrashing. Some scenes are filmed in one take. This makes for good chemistry on screen since the actors can really respond to one another without cuts in between. Some of the scenes do drag on with vulgar attempts to make the viewer laugh. Sure there are some funny parts near the beginning, but after that it takes a strong U-turn towards serious drama. If the movie stuck to humor it could have been a lot more entertaining to watch.
In trying a new approach to the crime family genre, this movie did a decent job. It is a unique view on a crime family in England that goes deep into the family itself, but leaves the viewer unsatisfied with regard to the crimes committed.
Blu-ray Bonus Features
Scrambled in the special features tab are many interesting bits. The best being “The Amazing Wizards” which show Robin Hill (Karl) and Ben Wheatley (director) showing viewers wacky screen tricks such as throwing bricks at people and catching large televisions from being dropped off a rooftop. Next to that are the screen tests of Robert Hill (Bill) and Robin Hill, who are actual father and son. The audio is scratchy and annoying, even for a minute long video. You can find deleted and extended scenes under the special features. It’s not very satisfying since there is only about one of each to choose from. Last but not least there is a full commentary featuring Ben Wheatley (director) and Robin Hill even a short called “Rob Loves Kerry” starring Robin Hill and co-star Kerry Peacock.
"Down Terrace" is on sale January 18, 2011 and is rated R. Comedy, Crime, Drama. Directed by Ben Wheatley. Written by Robin Hill, Ben Wheatley. Starring David Schaal, Julia Deakin, Robert Hill, Robin Hill, Tony Way.
