Brighton Rock

Rowan Joffe's adaptation of Graham Greene’s famous novel brings the doomed love story between Pinkie Brown (Sam Riley) and Rose (Andrea Riseborough) back to the screen with grit and panache.

Pinkie Brown (Sam Riley) is a member of a malicious gang in Brighton. After committing a notorious murder, he becomes entangled with waitress Rose (Andrea Riseborough) who has witnesses much of the gang’s activity. The two soon marry – Rose for love, Pinkie to keep an eye on her – but Rose’s employer, Ida (Helen Mirren), sees the danger of Pinkie and does her best to save Rose from a life of crime.

Greene’s novel was famously adapted before, in 1947 with Richard Attenborough, but Joffe brings an energy and appropriate gloom to his version, which was the surprise film at the 2010 BFI London Film Festival.