THIS WEEK sees the local release of Pusher, a gritty new remake of the acclaimed 1996 Danish crime trilogy of the same name, transplanted to contemporary London.
Pusher follows the troubles of low-level drug dealer Frank (Richard Coyle), who is living the good life in London until life starts to unravel following the collapse of a drug deal. Frank has borrowed money from a menacing Serbian gangster Milo, (Zlatko Buri, reprising his role from the Danish original), believing he’s got a sure thing on his hands. When things unsurprisingly go pear-shaped, it leaves Frank in a desperate scramble to come up with the cash to pay back Milo.
As things go from bad to worse Frank gets ever more desperate, beating up his sidekick (Bronson Webb), betraying his girlfriend (model-turned-actress Agyness Deyn, in her first major role), and even trying to con his own mother (Joanna Hole).
This reboot is expertly directed by Luis Prieto, a Spanish director who graduated from CalArts in Los Angeles before making features in both Spain and Italy. In his first English-language film, Prieto spins a web of deepening dread and rising chaos, but leavens the ensuing violence and fear with occasional mordant humor and the sleekly grimy beauty of his stylish, neon-splattered palette.
Pusher is written by Matthew Read and executive produced by Nicolas Winding Refn, the man behind the Danish original.
Pusher is just as propulsive, kinetic and enthralling as a drug-fuelled night out in the West End. Well worth an hour and a half of your time.
Runing time: 87 minutes. Rated: R.
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