If you're a fan of Trainspotting or Human Traffic you will love this film, which combines a great soundtrack (mixed by Dave Pierce) and brilliant visual effects to really bring the film spring to life.
South West Nine takes you through a day of five people living in Brixton. Some of the people Freddy (drug dealer/DJ) Jake (drug Dealer) Mitch (drug Dealer) Kat (drug Dealer) and finally Helen (she's not a drug dealer she just wants to destroy the bank she works for!). some really seedy characters but really believable too! Mitch: (the heart of the film) from the start is smacked up on a LSD trip that will last for the rest of his life. (The moral don't put your hand in the wrong place) Helen: the only one that is not smacked up on something. She just wants to destroy the multimillion-pound bank that she works for. An interesting piece of casting here! Freddy: the most down to earth character if you call a drug dealer down to earth!? Jake: the dealer's dealer Kat:
a rich girl searching for freedom. The story all links together well bringing the dance/drug culture into a very realistic storyline. Nothing about the story is too far fetched. But I do suspect if you are over a certain age this film might go over your head. Freddy and Mitch are trying to organise a nightclub in a church called Faith. Helen is trying to destroy a multimillion-bank as she knows a big secret about the bank. Kat works at the dog bar and lives in a squat. (As you can see it's not one of the easiest films to follow!) Jake and his sister are hunting down Freddy and Mitch as they skanked him. The story then rolls around those main aspects and drifts off here and there! It may sound loosely tied together but believe me it is as tightly produced film as you will see. The film does not come across in a non-judgemental side in drugs it neither promotes or criticises the drug culture, and I feel that this gives the film believability and authenticity. The soundtrack (mixed by Dave Pierce) for the film plays an important part in the effectiveness of the film because it really brings the viewer into the film as the music just puts the icing on the cake! Gives the film that added dimension. The film comes across as a cross between Trainspotting and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels it using wizzy camera work and cut outs giving it a bit of an extra edge. The film uses narration which is done by the character Freddy) to tell some parts of the story, unfold what is necessary at exactly the right place. This is Richard Parry's first feature film throughout he uses his knowledge of documentary making to give the film a level of interest. He has made the film so you know more than the characters in the film. We know there is going to be a climatic shooting scene at some point in the film (as the first scene we see shows us). How they get there we do not know until the film unravels itself. The cast fit into the roles of their character supremely well, Mitch by far has to be one of the best characters in the film he is sublimely cast!
The Extras The DVD comes with several extras these include:
Making of Documentary A documentary of the film from start to end very interesting.
Trailer This is a trailer for SW9
Never Before Seen Human Traffic Footage Some never before seen outtakes from human traffic.
Image Gallery A collection of behind the scenes images from the film accompanied by music.
Deleted Scenes A collection of deleted scenes Richard parry introduces each scene and talks about them.
Richard Parry's War stories This is quite an unusual feature to be included on SW9 the documentary is a grim behind-the-scenes footage from his work in war-torn areas.
The DVD also includes an Easter egg (hidden footage) there are 3 short films hidden within the DVD to access them Enter the "Special Features" menu. Highlight the "Deleted Scenes" option, and then press Right to highlight a dot in the background. Press Enter to display a hidden menu all allowing you to access the films. Short Films
One: Space Odyssey A very well animated stop start motion film includes some good special effects.
Pit A film about a boy being bullied at school revolves around them playing football.
Through The K Hole A film about somebody taking too much ketamine and many other things and tripping out, thinking they are trapped inside a "k hole" very well directed.
Running Time: 95 minutes approx Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Full Frame Language: English
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Thanks for letting me know you'd added to this review. Happy to re-rate as promised.
Soho_Black 04.11.2005 22:13
Nice film review. Unfortunately, you've submitted it as being a DVD review, which this isn't. You either need to change the submission to be "Film Only", or add some bits about the DVD itself, extras etc. If you do either, let me know and I'll re-rate.
Pency 03.11.2005 17:38
sounds really good. i loved Trainspotting. good review x pency x
![South West 9 [2001] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78543671.jpg "South West 9 [2001] [DVD]")
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