Since starring in Rock N Rolla in 2008, beardy Yorkshire boy Toby Kebbell has been lumbered with the expectation of his ‘rising star’ sticker. Film critics everywhere are crying out for his big break, instead, he gets bit parts in high budget blunders like The Sorcerers Apprentice and Prince of Persia. Unfortunately, his leading role in THE VETERAN is unlikely kick down any new doors. Kebbell plays Miller, an ex-squaddie fresh from the trauma of Afghanistan, returning to his desolate childhood estate in South London – one wrought with problems of heroine trade. Director Matthew Hope’s portrayal of London is one of misery, his shots crowded with greyscale, smog and aimless youths.
In an attempt to nestle back into society, Miller accepts surveillance work from intelligence officers Gerry (Brian Cox) and Chris (Tony Curran). At their request, Miller follows a terrorist cell insider, Alayana, to find out where her loyalty lies. But Miller soon discovers new job is linked to something much bigger. Chris and Gerry’s sinister intentions are so thinly veiled, the corruption that develops is of little surprise to the viewer.
The movie plays out like an episode of Cracker as the Afghanistan war conspiracy unfolds. Through Millers perspective, we learn that the suspected terrorist cell is intrinsically linked to the local gangsters on his estate. They have been exchanging drugs for guns. Here the movie becomes clumsily convoluted, but makes room for a fantastic, shit-scary performance from grime artist, Bashy (Ashley Thomas) as Tyrone, the gang’s leader. The director’s message is honourable, lifting the rug on the raw battles we fight at home and over seas, the feckless treatment our soldiers. But the building blocks just don’t fit. Brian Cox delivers a bizarre Tyler Durden type monologue about societal distruction which aims to explore the conspiricy, but only succeeds in confusing things further.
Kebbell plays Miller with the stoical drab of Walken or Cage (in fact, he is even reminiscent of a young Cage on the poster) and it is this performance that marks the only credible aspect of the movie. Miller is clearly a man on the edge, subtle flash-backs of combat hinting at his post-traumatic stress. But Kebbell’s core scene – a mass shoot out on the estate- is so derivative, even his pained expressions can’t save it. Miller takes down bad drama-school hoodies like he’s grabbing points on call of Call of Duty. The scene is lengthy, unnecessary and cheapens the message Hope is trying to get across. Rather than a high-concept drama, it becomes an embarrassing UK TAXI DRIVER parody. The film’s overall mood is plagued by feelings of apathy, where death is everything, and nothing.
This film has undeniable brains, it’s just a shame it is using them all at once.
The Veteran Trailer by teasertrailer
Release Date – 29 April 2011
Director – Matthew Hope
Starring – Toby Kebbell, Brian Cox, Tony Curran, Adi Bielski, Tom Brooke
You can now watch online over at LOVEFilm, as well as reserve upcoming film including THE VETERAN by renting in the conventional way.
