Cass (2008)

50% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(1,740 ratings)

Loosely based on a true story, director Jon S. Baird's Cass traces the evolution of one individual from an infant with slim prospects to one of the most respected and feared individuals in the United Kingdom. Nonso Alonzie stars as the title character, who begins life as a Jamaican baby bereft of… More Loosely based on a true story, director Jon S. Baird's Cass traces the evolution of one individual from an infant with slim prospects to one of the most respected and feared individuals in the United Kingdom. Nonso Alonzie stars as the title character, who begins life as a Jamaican baby bereft of his parents, but promptly witnesses his fate and future turn an unexpected corner with his adoption by an elderly Caucasian couple. Pummeled mercilessly and bullied with racist taunts as a boy, Cass instinctively takes matters into his own hands and thus discovers a source of power and control, in violent action, that he never knew he possessed. Eventually, however, this path comes back to bite him via a assassination attempt against him, that is - mercifully - unsuccessful. In time, Cass reaches a fork in the road, and must choose between continuing to embrace the violence that has shaped and colored his life, or opting for more controlled and thoughtful approach to conflict. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Jon S. Baird
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Aug 1, 2008 Wide
Studio: Optimum Releasing

Critic Reviews

Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
The film's repetitive structure never quite resolves into something we can properly engage with, especially when a somewhat heavy-handed message rears its head.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
This is an engaging, well made and sharply written British drama that is definitely worth seeing. Great soundtrack too.
Derek Malcolm, This is London
There isn't, in fact, a single off-key performance in what is otherwise an ordinary film.
, Daily Mirror [UK]
When Anozie isn't delivering a tired voiceover about honour on the terraces, we're treated to rubbish fights, feeble dialogue and mockney accents. Dreadful.
Kate Stables, Total Film
Crunchier than an ICF coshing and about as subtle.
Tim Evans, Sky Movies
What follows is your standard footy ruck saga - stabbings, jail, love of a good woman.
Chris Tilly, IGN Movies UK
A mature take on this most contentious of issues, and quite possibly the best film on the subject in 20 years.
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph
It never fully convinces you that he deserves a movie.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
It is a bit better than many recent lipsmacking movies on similar subjects... but there's still the same self-serving, self-sentimentalising macho nonsense.
Wendy Ide, Times [UK]
Inanimate dialogue and plodding pacing don't give the talented cast much to work with, and the camera is directed with all the grace of a pub brawl at closing time.
Paul Arendt, Film4
Cass has more heart than your average hooligan flick, but it's a clumsy, compromised film, hamstrung by its own redemptive structure and too infatuated with its protagonist to take an objective point of view.
Simon Crook, Empire Magazine
A fair effort which does nothing to beat it's way out of a crowded genre.
David Jenkins, Time Out
Though the narrative is saggy and you feel there's nowhere left to go after the first hour, a much-needed dash of class from Jon S Baird's direction helps lift 'Cass' above its oft-reactionary genre brethren.
Victor Olliver, Teletext
A sharp look back at the Thatcher years matched by an edgy script and shocking mindless violence

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

It may not be directed by Nick Love, but apart from the racial element, this could have easily have been one of Love's films. Whilst it's based on a true story, we have seen it all before, the racial qualities bring out the unique story for Cass being brought up by white… More
It may not be directed by Nick Love, but apart from the racial element, this could have easily have been one of Love's films. Whilst it's based on a true story, we have seen it all before, the racial qualities bring out the unique story for Cass being brought up by white parents, but all in all it's another story of football violence.

Cast

            Nonso Anozie as Cass Pennant

            Natalie Press as Elaine

            Leo Gregory as Freeman

            Tamer Hassan as Ray

            Linda Bassett as Doll Chambers

            Peter Wight as Chambers Cecil

            Gavin Brocker as Prentice

            Paul Kaye as CP

            Bronson Webb as Assassin

            Carl Fairweather as Martin

            Lorraine Stanley as Linda

            Azaria Omaboe as Baby Georgie

            Verelle Roberts as Young Cass

            Rorry Jennings as Freeman

            Joe Siffleet as Young ICF Member

            Dave Lea as Bingo

            Jayson Wheatley as Prentice (14 years old)

            Daniel Kaluuya as Cass (14 years old)

            Jamie Kenna as Stevie Hogan

            Johnny Palmeiro as Shaun The Skinhead

            Robbie Gee as Marion

            Mario Demetriou as Greek Waiter

            Lucy Russell as TV presenter

            Jack Johnson (II) as young freeman (10 years old)

            Helen Anderson as Detective

            Ralph Ineson as Mullins Sergeant

            Gemma Baker as Tracey

            Geoffrey Beevers as Vicar

            Liam Smith as Gaffer

            Renton Skinner as Northern Comic

            Callum Ruange as Young PRentice (10 years old)

            Winston Ellis as Zulu

            Jack Bence as Teenage Bully 1

            Nick Bartlett as Pub Regular

            Brandon Robinson as Billy The Bully

            Cass Pennant as Bigs

            Frank Bruno as Frank

            Sid Young as Teenage Bully 2

            Eddie Weber as Prison Guard Ron

            Bill Gardner as Harry the Prisoner

            Lee Tumbull as Male Diner

            Tiggy Allen as Florist

            Lucy Aylen as Female Diner

            Bill Kelly as Big T

            Mick Robbins as Prison Guard

            Sarah Finnegan as Woman Passer-by

            Jock The Building as Himself

            Danny QPR as Taxi Driver

            Joe Eagen as Joe the Barman

            Georgina Pennant as Officer Worker

            harry David as Assassin Gang

            Charlie French as Assassin Gang

            Mark French as Assassin Gang
See full cast