“Victim” is a British crime drama that deals with inner city crime and people who are a victim of poverty, their environment and surrounding. But yet one wants desperately to break the cycle. Featuring a powerful performance by Ashley Chin, “Victim” is recommended!
TITLE: Victim
TELEFILM RELEASE: 2011
DURATION: 86 Minutes
BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (1:78:1 aspect ratio), English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, Closed Captions
COMPANY: Well Go USA Entertainment
RATED: Not Rated
Release Date: September 9, 2014
Directed by Alex Pillai
Written by Ashley Chin, Michael Kyei, Michael Maris, Adrian Scott
Producer: Jason Maza
Executive Producer: Danny Donnelly
Associate Producer: Justin King, Michael Maris, Mouktar Mohammed
Line Producer: John Adams
Music by Howard Rees
Cinematography by Peter Butler
Edited by Iain Mitchell
Casting by Anna Kennedy
Production Design by Lucy Gahagan
Costume Design by Charlie Jones
Starring:
Ashley Chin as Tyson
Ashley Madekwe as Tia
Jason Maza as Mannie
Anna Nightingale as Davina
Michael Maris as Jason
Letitia Wright as Nyla
Shanika Warren-Markland as Charmaine
Osy Ikhile as Zimma
Tyson (Ashley Chin), an east Londoner in his 20s, looks after his sister by day, and robs luxury flats at night. But his sister s classroom encounters with an inspirational teacher (David Harewood) suggest that even very difficult lives can be turned around. Meanwhile, Tia (Ashley Madekwe), a girl from the other side of the tracks, enters Tyson s life and allows him to glimpse another way of life.
From director Alex Pillai (“Midsomer Murders”, “Merlin”) and actor/writer Ashley Chin (“Plastic”, “Starred Up”, “Cherry Tree Lane”) comes the British crime drama “Victim”.
Starring Chin, Ashley Madekwe (“Revenge”, “Cassandra’s Dream”, “Venus”), Jason Maza (“Fish Tank”, “Rise of the Footsoldier”) and Adam Deacon, “Victim” is set in London’s East End.
The film revolves around three friends, Tyson (portrayed by Ashley Chin), Mannie (portrayed by Jason Maza) and Jason (portrayed by Michael Maris), who all live in the inner city and the three try to make their money by robbing from the wealthy.
With the help of their female friend Davina (portrayed by Anna Nightingale) who tries to seduce the men before the guys beat and rob the men.
As Tyson tries to take care of his 15-year-old sister Nyla and raise the family and pay off the gambling debts of his mother and wants to abandon the criminal lifestyle, his life will change when Tia enters his life.
Meanwhile, the pure Tia (portrayed by Ashley Madekwe) who is a country girl from the Home counties comes to stay in London with Davina. But when Tia’s positivity starts to change Tyson and open his mind of leaving the criminal life, Davina becomes jealous as the Tyson and Tia become closer and now she wants revenge.
VIDEO:
“Victim” is presented in 1080p High Definition (1:78:1 aspect ratio). The film is shot digitally and close-ups show great detail and the overall film boasts clarity. Overall, “Victim” looks great on Blu-ray!
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“Victim” is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Dialogue is crystal clear as with the musical soundtrack which features wonderful fidelity.
SPECIAL FEATURES
“Victim” comes with the following special features “Cast Interviews” (55:08) and the theatrical trailer (1:14) for the film.
“Victim” is more or less a crime film that revolves around a man who wants to take care of his family and his only way of making money is a life of crime.
But after meeting Tia, a girl that comes a better upbringing, wealthy family…it opens his eyes of wanting to be a better man. But is it possible?
“Victim” is more or less not about a film about those on the receiving end of crime but those living in poverty. Those who try to survive in gangs, those who try to survive by being hard and carrying weapons, those who are so poor that they are close to losing their homes or living with nothing because they have parents who have been destroyed by drugs. What about these children? Do they have a chance?
While not a big budget film, writer/actor Ashley Chin does a good job of portraying the role of Tyson, a man caught between a life he wants and a life he was born and raised in.
While there are people who are able to breakaway from poverty and make a live for themselves, can Tyson easily leave that lifestyle?
For the most part, “Victim” is an entertaining film created with good intentions. While character development was good for Tyson and Ashley Chin’s performance is fantastic, there are some areas of the film dealing with other characters, that are not as effective. And while the ending was a bit of a surprise and whether or not it is subjective lies within the viewer’s perspective, the film does a good job of giving out a message that is not anywhere near preaching or heavy handed.
But I did enjoy the film and it’s overall story as it does deal with reality without trying to preach to its audience. There’s no doubt that Ashley Chin went through a lot personal life experiences in order to write this film and helps with the film feeling real.
As for the Blu-ray, picture quality is good and dialogue and music is crystal clear. But it’s primarily a dialogue/music driven soundtrack and you also get a few special features which include cast interviews and a theatrical trailer.
Overall, “Victim” is a British crime drama that deals with inner city crime and people who are a victim of poverty, their environment and surrounding. But yet one wants desperately to break the cycle.
Featuring a powerful performance by Ashley Chin, “Victim” is recommended!
