Pimp (2010)

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

I find it hard to write something about this movie. Because all I can say is that it's really bad. Probably the intentions were good, but the end result is lamentable. The actors, Robert Cavanah (who is also the director of the film), Danny Dyer, Billy Boyd, Gemma Chan, Barbara Nedeljakova, they all do everything they can, they try their best, but the script is close to zero. Just a waste of money and some talent. Two stars because it can fool you, making you think it's really a documentary. But only in the first 5 minutes. After that, you realize they are actors, not real characters in real life.

Written and directed by Robert Cavanagh, who also plays the lead role of Woody, an underworld pimp who moves amongst the shadows, dealers and whore that work the streets of London's Soho.Being a big fan of British films, and the London gangster genre I had high hopes and expectations of this film. I was very disappointed.A mix if faux documentary and crime/drama/love story, Pimp seems not to know it's own identity and Cavanagh as a director is completely lost. Throughout the entire film there is a barrage of clichés and heavy handed influence from far superior films.It takes too long to get into it's stride and when it finally does the premise is just nonsensical. Danny Dyer, who has impressed in previous vehicles was poorly cast and somewhat contrived rather than convincing. Really, I'm struggling to write a review about this film because I was so disappointed.In short, Avoid.

OK. I was prepared to but fairly unimpressed. The only other 2 reviews included one neutral one and one from the production company.But all in all, I WAS impressed. The story line throws you a few unexpected left of field surprises, the bad brothers are suitably bonkers, the violence was - well, OK - realistic, I suppose.But the best thing, for me, was Robert Cavanah. He plays a complex lead, in a tough situation - in a number of ways - and he plays it very very well.Danny D continues not to live up to what he seems to think his potential is. On the other hand, I guess he's making money.And the votes for this film? 2.6/10 at the moment? Nearly half the votes are at 1, but none of them have left a review? Someone CLEARLY doesn't like this film, and doesn't want it to be a success on IMDb.

Vicious storyline. Check.Tight plot.Check.Crazy ride. Check.Violent and Exploitative movie. Check.Take a walk into the seedy underworld of Woody the SOHO pimp. Its a dark but fascinating world with its own unique cast of characters. This film is amazing. So different to any of the drivel that you regularly watch on PIMP movies. The directors and the writers have actually considered the soul of a character. His life. And that characterization made me pay attention. It made me care about the character. It made me root for him.The characters are RAW, and brilliantly acted. The story is tightly knit and fast paced. The visuals are gorgeous and disturbing. The cinematography style is intelligently considered. Kind of a movie being filmed as a documentary is a breath of fresh air.The subject matter is totally raw and obscene. It gives us a glimpse of the seedy SOHO underbelly. That's what makes it so fascinating to watch...If you're thinking about watching it. WATCH IT. It will shock, amuse and entertain in equal parts.This is 10/10 stars for me.