Piggy squeals loudly but still disappoints
FILM
PIGGY
Cert 18 | by Stevie Martin
**
THE latest London-based gangland thriller sees a quiet and listless delivery boy (Martin Compston) blankly surviving a dull existence in the city after his brother is attacked by a vicious gang.
When Piggy (a charismatic Paul Anderson), an old friend he can hardly remember, turns up and suggests he wreak violent revenge on them, things escalate rather quickly. Writer/direction Kieran Hawkes sets up an admirable tautness (and kudos to him for making this a Danny Dyer free zone), but things fall apart pretty dramatically in the final act. Anderson remains the most watchable, and interesting, aspect of this Brit flick as the plot sadly peters out after a truly unsettling first hour.
What’s odd is that, although Martin Compston gives a fine performance, you’re just waiting for him to start knifing people rather than being affected by his descent into violence. When it happens, there’s nowhere for Hawkes to steer proceedings other than some yawn-worthy speculations on the nature of revenge etcetera, etcetera. If ultra-violent gang fights are your thing, it’s worth a look for that first hour.