Wild Bill review

A brilliant directorial debut from actor Dexter Fletcher, 'Wild Bill' is a smart, funny and thoroughly entertaining British film which deserves to be seen by a wide audience.

The hype...
Well received at last years London Film Festival, this story about a father and his two sons making do in East London might sound like a familiar premise but is there more to it than meets the eye? Actor-turned-director Dexter Fletcher has grown up in front of the camera from 'Press Gang' to 'Lock Stock’, so we're keen to see what he can deliver with all his experience.

The story...
Bill Hayward (Charlie Creed-Miles) has just been paroled from prison. After eight long years he is keen to rebuild a relationship with his two sons, but he knows that the mean streets of the East End will only drag him back into the world he wants to escape.

His youngest son is delighted to have his dad back, but Dean (Will Poulter) can't wait for Bill to leave. Since their mother left them Dean has been working all hours to provide for his brother, and Bill swanning in and upsetting things is the last thing he wants.

Social Services, on the other hand, want to see a ‘stable family unit’, or they will be forced to take the brothers into care. An uneasy alliance between Dean and his father develops, but this moment of tranquillity is about to be shattered when the local villains target the family to get them involved in the old ways.

If Bill returns to his “wild” persona he might be able to protect his loved ones, but is almost certain to face another spell in prison. Should he stay, or should he go?

The breakdown...
On the surface, this is a straightforward story of a reformed convict trying to turn his life around. The East End setting is also one that is beyond parody following the plethora of “cockney” gangster films in the wake of 'Lock, Stock’, so what can Dexter Fletcher bring to the table given these inherent problems?

For starters he has an outstanding cast. Will Poulter has matured into one of the best young actors this country has produced. His mannerisms and distinctive features allow him to delve into a believable character, full of angst but without any of the traits associated with stroppy teenagers. Dean is meant to be wise beyond his years, and that's just what we get.

There is also menace from Charlie Creed-Miles, but it is kept in check throughout. We can see how much he cares for his young sons, but also the helpless predicament he finds himself in. Credit for this must go to the director as well as the actors; Fletcher is clearly someone who fully understands his material and surroundings.

The urban setting is perfectly captured. This is the real East London, as grubby as it is, even as the spectacular rejuvenation of the area takes place ahead of the upcoming Olympics. You feel as if various elements of this story are playing out as we speak in this part of the world, and yet there is hope and optimism amongst the misery and depression.

British cinema needs films like this. Honest, entertaining and well crafted. What Fletcher does brilliantly here is take an overly familiar genre, inject it with much needed vibrancy and produce something that will please the masses. There is no shame in that, it's what audiences crave and for once it has a recognisable setting that doesn't come from across the Atlantic.

The verdict...
We weren't expecting this. Fletcher proves to be a real find behind the lens and the ensemble cast add real depth to a familiar story. One of the most invigorating British films we've seen for a long time.

Rating: 4/5

‘Wild Bill’ will be released in the UK on 23 March. Certificate: 15