The Liability (2013)

Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

(50%) Rising star Jack O'Connell comes very near to shinning in this crime drama, but sadly the film just doesn't have what it takes to supplement his talent owing in no small part to a script that just is quite as good as it needs to be. So this is no classic, but it's still a decent watch and way better than the lower end British crime/hooligan sludge you see cluttering the direct to DVD section. Tim Roth is as you'd expect in support (perfectly fine), and the direction tries to lift the somewhat awkwardly told plot, it's just a shame this just doesn't have the depth. Overall not a bad film at all, and worth a look for O'Connell in a early starring role, just don't expect a low budget marvel.

The Liability is a darkly comic crime thriller which at least tries to be different from the usual crime thrillers that are churned out ten to the dozen. It's a slightly surreal film in some ways probably due to characters, some of whom appear almost comic book like although the plot itself is definitely grounded in reality. I found myself hooked from early on and was intrigued to see how it all ended. There are a few scenes to make you wince and a bit of violence but nothing most won't have seen before. The cast is very strong. I particularly liked the performance of Jack O'Connell as the young lad. He is an actor I've seen in a few other films like Eden Lake and Tower Block and plays the cocky disaffected youth to a tee. Peter Mullan as the villain is excellent. Tim Roth is also good although I wasn't quite what to make of his character or The Girl played by Talulah Riley. I found this a very enjoyable film that offered something fresh to the genre. Well worth watching.

There's way too much love for this movie on IMDb though I can't help noticing that most major reviewers haven't bothered writing about it. And they're right not to. This is derivative rubbish with underwritten characters, and plotting that doesn't pass muster even if it tries to get by as a black comedy. Tim Roth's character has to be the least interesting assassin on celluloid (or whatever they're using these days): "I haven't killed a woman since 1983." How endearing. Jack O'Connell's character is a moron with sadistic impulses: "Was 'cos I fancied her, that's why I couldn't do it." Presumably, he can only kill women he doesn't fancy. Another charmer. Peter Mullen gets to act nasty with a Scottish accent and use the c-word a lot. Stephanie Beacham lookalike Kierston Wareing is wasted as Mullen's wife. There are no interesting villains, and the only person to root for is on screen for the least amount of time. Each scene is at least twice as long as it needs to be, and the visuals don't make up for the lack of dialogue. I'd rather be eighty-sixed than sit through these 86 minutes again.

Gangster Comedy from start to finish. Nothing intelligent in this film. Showing gangsters as total morons, why? I had certain expectations after reading "Snatch" "Lock Stock" producers. This film is nothing like Snatch or Lock Stock, as a films are comic although within contain a dark sense of realism and are great to watch. Liability is unbelievable, unrealistic, and is so stupid often making it unbearable to watch.Adam and Peter are hilarious. Adam the teenager is funny throughout, though becomes tedious when his involvement is nothing more then stupidity. dad Peter the Don is great about the only character worth watching. Roy the hit-man looks like a telly tubby and acts the same.I was enjoying this film somewhat casually up until the Lativan gets involved with the storyline. From this point there it is plot hole after plot hole woven together to make this film unbearably ridiculous. She robs their car after failing to be shot instantly. The keys were in the car it was unlocked and she sprinted to it so quickly from 5 yards distance from a gunman. They proceed to hijack a 1970's camper van at gunpoint and then stick up a service station threatening customers with a gun. 7000 pounds = 140 50 pound notes. There is no way that there was much more the 20 notes on the ground and 50 notes didn't fit in the coffee cup. Why would they all be 50 pound notes? One thing I really hate with a lot of films recently is the way they show 6 million dollars or something equally as unrealistic fitting into a hand bag. She knew exactly where the camper had gone after the service station, the factory. Also knew where to turn up at the end. I am sure there are so many more holes this film is totally incoherently stupid.There is comedy throughout and in abundance, the storyline is absolutely pony. The title has warned you 3 out of 10