Shifty (2008)

The critic finds Shifty a stylish, substantial and unusually authentic British urban thriller. They praise its natural performances, particularly Danny Mays’s.

Papamichael welcomes the film as an antidote to British urban dramas that glamorize drugs and violence. She praises Riz Ahmed’s warm, bright portrayal of Shifty as someone who strayed into crime rather than chose it.

Bradshaw finds the film shrewd and engaging, and better than comparable British urban dramas. He particularly praises the persuasive chemistry between Riz Ahmed and Daniel Mays.

Hammond presents the film as a welcome jolt in realist crime cinema. The standfirst singles out its uncompromising, hard-edged approach, though the review text is unavailable.

The review finds Shifty absorbing, moving and authentic, and praises its grounded portrayal of modern British life. It singles out Eran Creevy’s cinematic vision of London’s overlooked landscapes and Daniel Mays’s performance.

The critic finds the film engaging and intelligently character-driven, despite a forced twist. They praise the warm performances of Riz Ahmed and Daniel Mays and the film’s idiosyncratic details.

Elley finds the film consistently better than its tiny budget suggests, while noting that it never reaches beyond its modest scope. He praises the supporting cast but criticizes the expletive-heavy dialogue and Daniel Mays’ flat performance.

The review’s verdict is unavailable because the article is behind a paywall. Its praise or criticism of any particular aspect cannot be determined from the visible text.

The review calls the film an impressive, energetic debut with an intelligent and charismatic protagonist. It praises the convincing performances, hot pace, and balance of suspense with absurd character humour.