The humour is the saving grace of this film

RocknRolla
Cast: Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson
Director: Guy Ritchie
Rating: **1/2

Guy Ritchie's latest is a darkly complex, seriocomic caper that swings in and out of dirty deals and double crosses through several layers of plots and counterplots. With this film, Ritchie returns to his pet styling; rendering his characters in unappreciable shades accompanied by jokey-fisticuff action, brisk rhythms and formulaic set-pieces.

One Two, a small-time hustler is hoping to become an entrepreneur of repute by venturing into the London real-estate wheeling-dealing scene. So along with partners Mumbles and Handsome Bob, he speculates on property with the help of a loan from Lenny Cole, a crime boss who wants to bag the deal himself while exacting repayment from One Two.

The initial  deception by Cole sets off an interesting chain of contrivances and coincidences with the story taking desperate twists and turns, almost careering out of logical control in its effort to stay busy and affected.

It's a dizzying experience charged with myriad thrills and stylish spills. The plot is far too convoluted and the accents too thick. The characters are also far too busy strutting around to make much sense and the occasional flashbacks and flash forwards add to the chaos. The humour is the saving grace though. It is wry and intermittently ticklish and it keeps you interested.