London Boulevard (2010)

The premise of a man being released from prison and trying to turn over a new leaf only to be brought back into a life of crime is certainly not a new one, so it's hard for a film to breathe new life into this story. Luckily, London Boulevard, a British film that makes its way to home video on February 21, manages to do just that.

Colin Farrell stars as Mitchell, who takes a few steps out of the prison he has spent the last three years in only to be greeted by his slimy friend Billy (Ben Chaplin). Billy is firmly entrenched in the criminal underworld. He offers Mitchell a place to stay, but there are clearly strings attached. Billy is employed by notorious crime lord Gant (Ray Winstone), and is interested in bringing Mitchell into the fold.

As I have said, this has all been seen before in other films, but things get more interesting when Mitchell receives another job offer. Keira Knightley portrays Charlotte, an actress who is retired at 25 years old, and who rarely leaves the house. The paparazzi are permanently camped outside her door. Her only human contact most days is with her live-in business manager Jordan (David Thewlis). Mitchell is offered a position protecting Charlotte, making sure that no one gets into her home and, on the rare occasions when she needs to go out, making sure she can do so safely.

It isn't long before Mitchell and Charlotte develop romantic feelings for one another, which is to be expected — they are Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley, after all. Thankfully, things are never sappy like the similar relationship between Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard. How's that for a timely reference!

Things do get complicated, though. Gant sees great potential in Mitchell and desperately wants to put him on his payroll. He will stop at nothing to ensure this happens, which puts everyone in Mitchell's life in danger.

Colin Farrell does a terrific job in the lead role. While he may have made headlines years ago for boozing and bedding a bevy of beauties, he has also put together a stellar resume of work, including Crazy Heart, In Bruges and now this role in London Boulevard.

London Boulevard is a stylish film that also offers up a lot of substance. It is very easy to feel sympathy for Mitchell, a good man who cannot seem to break away from the bad element, and Charlotte, a woman who can't even stick her head out the door without flash bulbs going off. It is also very easy to hate Gant, one of the more vile characters I have seen in a film in ages. Credit goes to Farrell, Knightley and Winstone for bring these characters to life, and to the whole team behind London Boulevard, a film you should certainly check out when it hits stores on February 21.

Rating: 4 out of 5