As the film's original working title, D-Notice, suggests, this story is about much more than a bank robbery. Loosely based on a real 1971 robbery, it sees a group of East End robbers hired by the UK's secret service to steal a safety-deposit box containing compromising photographs of Princess Margaret. However, the daring cockneys end up in a world of pain when they discover among their loot the secrets of half of London's seediest criminals and bent policemen.
With a story this stunningly good, The Bank Job should be taking it's place alongside The Long Good Friday, Get Carter and other great British crime capers. But it falls short. With the exception of David Suchet as the Soho sleaze merchant Lew Vogel, a decent performance is hard to find in the film. The leading man Jason Statham's monotone delivery is so stiff it is difficult to feel much empathy for his character or the plight of his family and friends. His performance might cut it in a Guy Ritchie-penned black comedy, but without witty dialogue or a strong supporting cast what is left here is somewhat lifeless. Unfortunately, a riveting narrative and a brilliant recreation of 1970s London is also let down by tediously slow direction, with the pace of a TV drama. An opportunity missed.
ogood@thenational.ae
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia