Wendy House A London based film, Spiv has the mood of a classic London based Gangster, or wide-boy, films such as 'The long good Friday', Layer Cake, Lock Stock and two smoking barrels. It tackles fundamental, international, human rights issues. There is a reasonable review posted on "Eye for film'. The review doesn't adequately acknowledge the disturbing topic matter of the film: humans, children as a commodity for trade in Western captialistic culture. Life and sex as something that has monetary, tradeable value.Beautiful lighting and attention to photographics details. For example, during the opening credits we see the Spiv dressing. Smart 3-piece suit, classic style with the last button of the waistcoat undone. Inbetween the calm attention of his dressing we see and hear loud scenes from racecourse. We swiftly move to the spinning a yarn. We watch the Spiv talk in one screen frame while simultaneously viewing the story he is recounting in an inset. This technique of multiple frames is used sparingly, to good effect. The ending is clever and leaves enough to to feed your imagination. It's more of a turning point in a story than a 'wrap up all major themes' ending.For Anglophiles there are some excellent scenes of London, Docklands, Victorian red-brick terraced streets, slummy high-rise flats, gray skies, the London underground. Jack Dee plays a significant bit part as a builder called 'Nige' with impressively powerful perception and sublety. Summary? This is half way between a well constructed art film and a socially conscious film. It doesn't hit the heights of either, it does meld the experiences well. It is worth watching if either genre moves you.

xan_pl What a flop. this film had promises of a "Snatch" lookalike. what a misleading cast too! a film with Paul Kaye and Jack Dee should be COMEDIC, not a load of fake drama. i thought the violence was supposed to be funny until it hit me, this movie is supposed to be serious. i found this film pretentious, and it was obvious that it had no heart whatsoever. further more, i was asking myself why anyone would cast a lead actor (Ken Stott) that annoys you so much you wanna rip your hair out. his voice alone is enough to infuriate the most patient of people, not to mention his "array" of witty remarks. i found that i really TRIED to like this film, even though i just couldn't. i think nick moran and dom monaghan are great actors, however, this film was a bad career move for them both. a POOR effort...really disappointed...

easter11 This film is suffering a bit of an identity crisis - is it a comedy, a drama or what? There are good performances from Kate Ashfield and some of the best moments in the film are the ones with Ken Stott, his aunt (Linda Bassett) and the children - these are tender moments that are well captured. Jack Dee's character is weak and badly portrayed. There are some fun moments but overall this film doesn't gel well. Go and see this film to support British movie making, its a sweet film that portrays the wheeler dealers of east London and had it had a few more bucks in the budget, could have been tightened up somewhat to produce a gem perhaps.

markdawnay One of the best movies that i have seen in years, a true and gritty depiction of London life, with a comedic strain that can only be described as classic British humour. Spivs is a also a touching heartfelt story about the horror that is the modern day slave trade. A truly strong and great piece of cinema I can't recommend it enough. Onwards and upwards for the British Film Industry. Support the British Film Industry on Friday the 24th September when SPIVS is released. A film born and breed in Britain. A true depiction of British life today, this witty yet gritty comedy-drama stars: Ken Stott (King Arthur,) Nick Moran (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,) Kate Ashfield, (Shaun of the Dead,) Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy,) Jack Dee and Paul Kaye SPIVS Cert 15 Running time 91 Minutes. Carnaby Films are a totally unique company, funded by the British people, for the British people.