DVD Review: Down Terrace

Down Terrace is a low budget British crime film from first-time director, Ben Wheatley. Set in the coastal city of Brighton, the film follows a criminal family, headed by patriarch and ex-hippie Bill (Robert Hill) who runs clubs and drugs for his bosses in London. His henchmen include his troubled son Karl (Robin Hill), his brother-in-law Eric (David Schaal, The Office and The In-Betweeners) and the hapless Garvey (Tony Way). The film begins with father and son leaving court after being cleared, of exactly what charges we are never told, and returning to their small terrace home where seemingly devoted mother and wife Maggie (Julia Deakin, Spaced) is waiting. However all is not well with this criminal unit. There is an informant in their midst. Betrayal and murder sees the family implode as the offender is sought out.

Wheatley co-wrote the script with Robin Hill. They have been writing and shooting shorts together for a number of years, often filming at Robin’s parent’s house on Down Terrace and starring his father, Robert. The writing pair decided they wanted to shoot a full-length film. As it needed to be something they could make on a small budget it had to feature Robert and Robin and be able to be filmed at the house on Down Terrace. And that’s how the idea for the film began.

Karl (Robin Hill)

The end result is a gangster film, but unlike anything you’ve come to expect. This is a film completely devoid of the glamour that often accompanies movies about professional criminals. Taking elements of the crime genre the film’s real focus is on the corrosive nature of a dysfunctional family. This darkly comical piece is populated by characters whose danger derives from how emotionally-stunted they are. Karl, a man in his thirties, lives like an overgrown teenager in his parent’s home, smothered by manipulative parents. Maggie is perhaps the most disturbed (giving Jackie Weaver’s matriarch in Animal Kingdom a good run for her money), as she at first appears to be a reasonably caring mother and wife, but when her true nature is revealed she is terrifying.

Down Terrace is a great example of clever filmmaking working within tight parameters but creating something exciting and fresh. The script highlights the productions natural strengths, the strong bond between real-life father and son Robert and Robin; the limited locations help exaggerate the claustrophobic and paranoid nature of the crumbling family.

Maggie (Julia Deakin) and Bill (Robert Hill)

Down Terrace is a surprising film, fitting in more to the kitchen sink drama mould of British filmmaking than the thumping soundtrack and bravado of Guy Richie’s criminal visions. No doubt this is an off-kilter gangster film, but somehow the occasionally shocking violence and the comedic elements combine to make something charmingly original.

DVD Extras: Along with extended and extra scenes, the DVD also includes a rather strange but oddly compelling stunt reel, titled The Amazing Wizards!!!! featuring Robin Hill.