Britain has always had a class divide and it has never been more apparent than in Concrete Plans, the feature debut from writer and director, Will Jewell. Set within the remote Welsh mountains, the film pits ex-forces businessman, Simon (Kevin Guthrie), against a group of five builders. The group is hired to renovate Simon’s recently acquired farmland property, and are promised good money if they bring the job in on time. The team begin in high spirits, but the living conditions aren’t great – the group all having to exist within a tiny portacabin – and then Simon starts being late with their payments. As tensions rise, one of the men, Jim (Chris Reilly), offers an extreme proposition for them getting what they are owed. Soon enough, blood is shed, morals tested, and battle lines are drawn as the group tries to figure a way out of the mess that has been made.
Before Concrete Plans has even properly kicked off, you can feel the fractures within our posse of builders. Put together by the kindly Bob (Steve Speirs), it is very quickly evident that trouble is going to brew amongst the five. Alongside Bob we have his workshy nephew, Steve (Charley Palmer Rothwell), who has been placed in his uncle’s care following some trouble, trustworthy old-timer, Dave (William Thomas), Ukranian immigrant, Viktor (Goran Bogdan), and bigot, Jim. They make for an interesting line-up and one that is rife with drama from the onset, with Jim and Viktor immediately clashing. As the story unfolds, allegiances begin to form, the young and impressionable Steve being drawn to Jim’s dark nature as it mirrors his own demons, and Viktor and Dave sharing similar values about the importance of getting the job done. In the middle we have Bob, a man torn by what he knows in his heart is right and the blood that he shares with Steve. Each cast member gives their all to their parts and adds little moments and quirks that make them more lifelike. We’ve no doubt met all of these men in our walks of life, though hopefully haven’t encountered them under these circumstances.
Cast firmly into the role of villain (at least initially), Kevin Guthrie excels as aristocrat, Simon. Though putting on a facade of wealth and happiness, Simon is actually drowning in spiralling debts, but still continues to string the workers along. It’s this arrogance and complete lack of empathy, essentially trying to get the work done for free and therefore fleecing these men out of their livelihoods, that really stings. Whereas we might not have met Bob and co under the circumstances found here, we’ve all been walked over by someone vastly better off than us who views us as expendable.
That rage and entitlement between the two factions bubbles over in unexpected ways, and at this point Concrete Plans transitions from a film about blue collar workers being exploited to something far more sinister. The dilemma that Jewell has written here offers the viewer one of those classic “what if” scenarios, asking them to assess where they would side and what they would do. These types of stories always make for entertaining viewings and Concrete Plans is no exception.
Concrete Plans is a film that is constantly evolving, new revelations uncovered and secrets exposed constantly change the trajectory of the piece. Jewell has created a film that keeps the audience on their toes and it’s unclear from one moment to the next where it might end up. There is perhaps a pivot too many towards the end, but nevertheless Concrete Plans is one of the most exciting British thrillers in years.
Concrete Plans was reviewed at Arrow Video Frightfest Halloween. Concrete Plans is released in Cinemas and Digital from 23rd November.
Concrete Plans
Summary
Delightfully written and exceptionally well paced, Concrete Plans displays an excellent pressure cooker scenario that actively encourages audience participation.
