Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
Narrowly avoiding jail, new dad Robbie vows to turn over a new leaf. A visit to a whisky distillery inspires him and his mates to seek a way out of their hopeless lives.
Ken Loach's warmhearted social comedy finds a genuinely distinctive voice by blending gritty Glasgow realism with a surprisingly light-footed whisky heist caper. The Scottish working-class setting and whisky world give it a singular flavour rarely seen on screen, earning strong marks for Novelty. The performances are naturalistic and charming, particularly Paul Brannigan's debut, though the supporting cast varies in depth. Cinematography is solid Ken Loach handheld realism — functional and atmospheric but not visually adventurous. The plot is crowd-pleasing but fairly conventional once the heist mechanics kick in, and the ending, while satisfying, wraps things up a touch too neatly for the world it depicts.