the leading man is my tpye

Disappointment for a huge fan!

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

I really enjoyed this movie. The acting was excellent throughout and the storyline gritty and lifelike. This is life at the raw end of the spectrum. The violence was visceral and essential to the plot. Some good sights of Edinburgh and the iconic Forth Rail Bridge.A tale of a violent man struggling to shake off his past, though it seems far behind him. When a contemporary from that past makes it all the more difficult to forget the haunting truth of 'another' life. Nick Dryden ,convicted gangster and man of violence emerges from prison a respected sculptor and marries a middle class journalist.Francesca Annis for me took the acting honours though all the male roles were almost equally well performed.Stott and Connolly both excel.As someone said already 'a debt well worth collecting', see it soon if you haven't already

This is a clever movie. Investigators try to get into the mind of a criminal and become them. That takes obsession, but what happens when obsession takes you? It's a fact of life that most people would like to be the tough, bad guy and this seems to be where this movie gets it's ideas. A life time on stage has prepared Connolly well. His performance is admirable. Admittedly, it's been about 3 years since I seen this film as I write this, though I remember strong feelings associated with it. There's something very real about it. I don't want to spoil this for anyone thinking of watching it, so I'll just say the "assualt" scene is particularly real and horrifically scary, as is the fight scene. No stupid Hollywood sound effects added to this one, and that's what makes it so damn scary because it doesn't seem as though it's just an act. If you like Connolly, check it out. If you like a thriller, same deal. If you like movies at all, there's no reason not to have a peek.

I have just seen this movie and thought I should make a comment on it. The performances by Billy Connolly and Ken Stott deserve accolades,Connolly is just as good as he was in Mrs.Brown,playing a man who after spending years in jail is determined to go straight. Newcomer Iain Robertson also gives a very good performance as a gangster wannabee. This film is a must see movie for Connolly fans,and just for people who like to watch a good quality movie.

An excellent film, though what a bleak view of human nature. Connolly's character is trying to live a good life and the psychotic policeman is determined that it won't happen.Real Shakespearian tragedy, the wilful misunderstanding of the others characters motives by virtually everyone in the film made the outcome inevitable. The fight in Edinburgh Castle was a wee bit on the unbelievable side, but definitely fitted into the dramatic tradition.At the end you were left wondering who had actually benefited from the whole sordid mess?