This has been described as "the British entry into Tarantino territory" for the combination of razor-sharp wit and deadly gun battles, but for my two pence this film is better than anything Tarantino has made. The plot revolves around Eddy, who has a special knack for cards. Eddy and three of his buddies pool their cash to get the ((pound))100,000 required to sit at Hatchet Harry's card table. But Harry has rigged the game to settle an old score, and the gang soon find themselves with a week to settle a debt of ((pound))500,000. Harry thinks that they won't be able to get the cash and so will be forced to convince Eddy's dad (played by Sting) to cancel the debt by handing over his bar lock, stock and barrel. The boys come up with a plan to get the cash when they overhear their neighbours planning to rumble the local drug dealers. Of course, the plan goes awry and all sorts of fun ensues. To say any more would give away a fantastic plot.

The interplay between the drug dealers, the drug baron, Hatchet Harry, his various minions and our heroes is quite brilliantly done. The film is very fast paced, and the high level of tension is maintained throughout. The film has been criticised on the grounds that it did not allow time for character development, but such arguments are unconsidered - the film stands on its plot and the characters are developed sufficiently to allow the plot to work, and work well. A cool soundtrack rounds out what must surely be one of the most under-rated films of 1998.