SnoosReviews More often than not, UK urban dramas are far from perfect movies with their search for realism completely backfiring and the finished product can seem over the top. The Guvnors is a story of two South East London gangs, one young and one old who both have their issues and roots to violence and crime.Mitch, played by Doug Allen is an old school criminal, from a generation past, he no longer takes part in football violence or crime and has settled down in the suburbs with his wife and child. He has lost contact with his old friends from back in his younger days and would rather forget his past. Adam is played by Harley Sylvester (one part of music duo Rizzle Kicks), he is of the current generation of thugs, he lacks the respect that his seniors once had and is very much a street thug who's search to be feared and gain power holds no limits. As Adam and his gang hear of the infamous Guvnors (Mitch and his gang from years ago) they go on a rampage to become the new Guvnors of South East London, something which will bring Mitch out of his comfortable past and back into the violent streets that he left all those years ago.The plot is pretty standard and there are no major surprises, it's relatively predictable and contains some of the classic clichés you would expect if you're a fan of this genre. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy this movie though, the acting was well above average, especially from Harley Sylvester – seeing him talk behind the scenes after watching the movie was surreal as he couldn't have spoken any different than he did for his role! He plays a detestable character with no redeeming qualities and he does it very well. To portray somebody like that you have to be convincing, they have to convince you to hate them and he did a very good job at this. Doug Allen did an OK job also, his character wasn't as strong or extreme but there were a few scenes in which he excelled and that was good to see.I have read some negative things surrounding the ending of the movie, as this is a spoiler free review I won't comment on it too much but I will still give my opinion. Personally, I found it to be acceptable, maybe it didn't contain the amount of drama people were hoping for or maybe the outcome wasn't what people wanted but I didn't have any issue with it. The very final scene however was a little disappointing and not necessary at all as it did feel a little awkward.In a story of Last Generations Old vs The Modern Youth, there needed to be a balancing act to keep the realism. The film is based mainly around the youth gang with snippets of the old gang being filtered into the story. It would have been nice to have seen some more shots of the elder gang together but that's just my personal opinion.Overall, The Guvnors is a solid, low budget, UK Urban movie which is well worth a watch if you are a fan of this genre. Solid acting and decent pacing make it an above average movie for me and I would certainly recommend checking this out if you have a free couple of hours. 7/10

FlashCallahan Mitch lives in suburban London, having turned his back on his previous life of casual violence and intimidation as part of a legendary South East London firm. In the modern day he's the denizen of respectability and confidence, but Mitch used to be a Guv'nor. When his soon tries to emulate him, and an incident happens in his old stomping ground, this holds a mirror up to Mitch and shows him the monster once again, dying to break out and wreak havoc.......If your reading this review, then your like me, you've always had a soft spot for this type of Sub genre, the urban crime movie. Now here, it's more of the same, but the makers of the film have gave it a little spin, making it old school versus youth.Its predictable fare, the young lads are depicted as the hooded sludge we see on most street corners everyday. You know the ones, speaking in a faux American accent, and walking like they have stones in their shoes. Oh how they vex ones mind..And then you have the old boys. They all have good jobs, nice houses, and really good skin, despite the years of booze and violence. You know the ones, still a bit tasty, but never forget to 'ave a larf. And you recognise them from being on the telly when they were younger.But then silly old seventies teen pop heart throb David Essex goes and punches the one from Rizzle Kicks, and it all goes down.And that's the film. We have the young ones running the street being abhorrent, and the old ones not doing too much apart from sit around and wait for the big fight at the end.Add former top ten, and MTV star Richard Blackwood, and the bloke from Soaps, and you have this totally, perfunctory slice of urban crime.But what makes it rise above other Brit flicks, is the fact that it has a nice twist to it, that I never saw coming.Perfect for a Sunday evening when nothing else is one.

tr91 The Guvnors is yet another British film based on street gangs. It is a tale of two different generations, the older guys who have all moved on from their past and the younger guys. Trouble starts when the old boy who is associated with 'The Guvnors', is murdered. The film is set in London and the atmosphere on the streets is very grim. The film develops at a steady pace and we see different sides to both of the main characters which adds a bit of realism, rather than just watching 90 minutes of mindless violence without fully knowing the characters and their motives. There is an unexpected twist towards the end of the film. I felt it was a good twist so when the film approached the finale there was plenty of possibilities. I felt it was a great acting debut by Harley from Rizzle Kicks and I certainly hope to see him in a few more films soon. The film also boasted a very good soundtrack throughout. 8/10 - would recommend but only if you like the genre.

Ricardoruns Doug Allen and Harley Sylvester put in terrific performances in this thought provoking film about a gang who control an inner city estate, but have the ghost and rep of their predecessors (by 20 years) hanging over them. The story's twist is well constructed and changes the perspective you have on both main characters. Sympathy ebbs and flow causing you to consider your own life actions in a profound way.Don't go into this film thinking your going to The Firm (new version) or Football Factory, The Guvnors has so much more. Dark in many parts and lively in others the realism it portrays is spot on.Thamesmede is a perfect setting with a number of infamous locations on view. Indeed the pub is well known for having shotgun pellets in its ceiling.