Face (1997 film)

Infobox Film
name = Face


image_size =
caption = "Face" DVD cover
director = Antonia Bird
producer = Elinor Day
writer = Ronan Bennett
narrator =
starring = Robert Carlyle
Ray Winstone
Steven Waddington
Phil Davis
Lena Headey
music = Paul Conboy
Adrian Corker
Andy Roberts
cinematography = Fred Tammes
editing = St. John O'Rorke
distributor = BBC Films
released = September 26, 1997
runtime = 105 min
country = United Kingdom
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0119092

"Face" (1997) is a British crime drama directed by Antonia Bird and written by Ronan Bennett. It stars Robert Carlyle and Ray Winstone and features the acting debut of rock singer Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz).

Plot Synopsis

The film is set over the course of 48 hours in and around London, and tells the story of a group of criminals and what happens to them after they steal a considerable amount of money.

The story begin with the main characters, Ray (Robert Carlyle) and Dave (Ray Winstone) breaking into an apparent drug dealers squat, posing as police officers. However as the film progresses it becomes very apparent that Ray and Dave are far from law-abiding.

The next scene uncovers what is the catalyst to the films events- a secure depot heist.

Dave, with the logistics controlled by another criminal Julian (Phil Davis) recruits Ray, Stevie (Rays former cellmate) and Jason (Damon Albarn) - the nephew of a criminal close to Ray and Dave.

Although the 'Ram-Raid' style of heist at the secure counting depot goes to plan, it becomes quickly apparent that the gang had not stolen the amount they were expecting. Dave constantly expressing his dismay- he was expecting more in the region of £2 million compared to the actual loot of just over £350,000. When Julian demands an extra £40,000 for 'expenses' at gun-point, the rest of the gang quickly disarm him and knock him unconscious. Dave and Ray are concerned that Julian will 'never forget', Stevie and Jason are told to then go home without their share of the money as to stop them being arrested on the street. Ray and Dave had pre-planned a later meet at a local pub. When Julian is released from Ray and Daves car boot he admits he only spent £8,500 Dave and Ray give him £10,000 and tell him to be on his way.

When the gang meet at the pub, the loot is given out to each member and taken their respective properties, in Ray and Stevies case, an old married couple they know.

The next set of scenes revolve around each members money being stolen, with Bill and Linda (the old couple looking after Ray and Stevies money) being both found murdered and Daves money also disappearing. The gang immediately suspect Julian is bitter for not getting the £40,000 he was expecting for expenses.

Dave, Ray and Stevie travel to Julian's house, Ray being instructed to shoot Julian on sight; however upon knocking Julians front door, Julian's wife answers the door and criticises Ray for beating Julian up. Ray walks into the flat to be confronted by Julian holding his new-born son in his arms- Ray cannot shoot instead asking where he is hiding his own loot as the rest of the gang have had theirs taken. Upon Julian realising (and nearly shooting) Ray when he finds his money has also been stolen the four travel to Jason's house, they now suspect Jason and his uncle of stealing the cash.

However the gang realise they are being trailed by plainclothes police officers and take a longer route.

Upon breaking into his house they find Jason dead, and they cannot find his money. Julian looks outside the window to see police have surrounded the front of the house and the gang agree to escape and to regroup outside Dave's old house later that evening.

Whilst Ray and Stevie escape without hassle, Dave and Julian have a shoot-out with armed police however the pair escape when Dave takes a hostage and Julian destroys a police patrol car.

Meanwhile, Ray is very concerned to as who could have stolen the money, he meets his mother and begs her for cash and a car, he then travels back to the pub the gang were at just after the heist to talk to the barman.

Ray returns to find Dave, Julian and Stevie fighting, and confronts Dave about the money; Dave had in fact orchestrated the theft and murder of Bill and Linda, Jason and Jason's uncle.

Dave admits that he stole to money to pay the blackmail price his daughters boyfriend had given him to stay quiet about his criminal activity, the boyfriend Chris (Andrew Tiernan), an officer in the Met is then assaulted in his own home with the gang now holding Dave as prisoner; Dave kills Chris for getting him into his position and then is executed by Ray for his theft and the murders.

Before his death, Chris had told the gang that the money was hidden in Ivel road police station.

With no Chris to get them into the station the gang use their fake police documents (as well as some acting) to gain entry into the police station, they then find the money in the locker room, after hastily looking for it without attracting police attention. On their way from the police station, Julian points his firearm at Stevie and Ray and demands all their money, reluctantly they give him the money but as they do an alarm is set-off and the police station immediately goes into lock-down. Julian shoots Stevie in the leg and wounds a police officer who was in the corridor with them, whilst Stevie and Ray escape the station using police credentials, Julian barricades himself into a room and opens fire on the police officers attempting to shoot (back) at him, within seconds specialist armed police surround the room soon accompanied by the firearms unit who send in a smoke grenade to overcome Julian.

Meanwhile Ray and Stevie leave London and meet with Ray's girlfriend who has organised another car; they head off the M25 towards Northern England.

Cast

*Robert Carlyle – Ray
*Ray Winstone – Dave
*Steven Waddington – Stevie
*Philip Davis – Julian
*Damon Albarn – Jason
*Lena Headey – Connie
*Andrew Tiernan – Chris
*Peter Vaughan – Sonny
*Sue Johnston – Alice
*Steve Sweeney – Weasel

Official Soundtrack

Track Listing
01. Everything Has a Price to Pay - Paul Weller
02. Feel the Sunshine - Alex Reece
03. Opium Shuffle Death in Vegas
04. London Calling - The Clash
05. Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards - Billy Bragg
06. Bullet (Bitten) - Fluke
07. Doin' Jobz 4tha Mob [Radio Edit] - Pigforce
08. New Era
09. Lucky - Lewis Taylor
10. Subside - Monkeys
11. Snakes Pass [Remix] - A.P.E.
12. On and On - Longpigs
13. London, Can You Wait? - Gene
14. Standing in Your Shadow - Puressence

External links

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