The Rise
Starring: Luke Treadaway, Matthew Lewis, Iwan Rheon, Timothy Spall
Director: Rowan Athale
Rating: 3.5/5
Rowan Athale makes his feature-film directorial debut this week as he brings together an exciting young British cast for The Rise.
Battered, bruised and under arrest, Harvey Miller (Treadaway) sits in a police interview room facing interrogation.
Clutching a stack of eyewitness statements, Detective Inspector West (Spall) has no doubt as to Harvey’s part in a foiled robbery, and the subsequent attempted murder of local businessman Steven Roper (Maskell).
Denying nothing, Harvey agrees to tell his version of events in full. We take in his release from prison a month earlier and the malevolent, unjust act that put him there.
We see his emotional reunion with his sibling-like best friends, and the immovable loyalty they have for one another. We see the rekindling of a lost love, a second chance for two people meant for each other.
We see the ingenious planning of the ill-fated robbery, the amazing twist, the shocking outcome, and the real driving force behind it - retribution. What unfolds is an exhilarating, moving and often hilarious story of loyalty, jealousy, friendship, revenge and the pursuit of happiness.
You wouldn't know that Athale was a first-time filmmaker as he has delivered a movie that is confident and assured; not to mention a great watch.
So many British heist films fall into the trap of being as bloody and violent and possible because the writers believe that this is the best way to create tension.
I am happy to report that The Rise doesn't fall into this trap and is instead a character-driven heist movie with an interesting bunch of guys at the centre of the story.
Luke Treadaway is an actor who really is on the rise, and he delivers another very good performance as Harvey; a young man who feels wronged about being sent to jail.
And yet he is a character who hasn't given up on life and believes that he can still make something of himself.
Friendship is really what is at the heart of the film as Harvey teams up with pals Dodd, Dempsey and Charlie to pull off a daring heist.
There is a real chemistry between the four actors as they banter and argue well together. The young cast really does bring an energy to the film that makes it feel fresh.
Perhaps the film is a little rushed towards the end, but it is not enough to spoil what is a tense and entertaining watch.
The Rise is an intelligent and character-driven movie that really is a good watch and deserves to do well.
The Rise is out now.