The Business (2004)

50% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(19,466 ratings)

In the era when Britain's criminal elite fled for the safety of Spain in order to escape the long-arm of Margaret Thatcher, a young scoundrel from the tenements of South London finds the allure of money, women, and drugs leading him down a dangerous path of self-destruction. Assigned the task of… More In the era when Britain's criminal elite fled for the safety of Spain in order to escape the long-arm of Margaret Thatcher, a young scoundrel from the tenements of South London finds the allure of money, women, and drugs leading him down a dangerous path of self-destruction. Assigned the task of delivering a large sum of money to an ex-con named Charlie (Tamer Hassan) in Puerto Banus, English lad Frankie (Danny Dyer) becomes hopelessly enamored with the laid back lifestyle enjoyed by the cheeky playboy and his loyal ensemble of British ex-pats. Though it isn't long before Frankie is named Charlie's second in command, the situation soon begins to heat up when loyalties start to shift and business takes a back seat to pleasure. There's no doubt that Frankie has a flair for the criminal lifestyle, though by the looks of things he's getting a little too comfortable with his newfound position of power. When Frankie succumbs to temptation and begins romancing Carly (Georgina Chapman), the flirtatious girlfriend of psycho gangster Sonny (Roland Manookian), it begins to look as if the lawless apprentice's whirlwind criminal career will soon end with a bang. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Nick Love
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Sep 2, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Sep 30, 2008

Critic Reviews

Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
A rootin' tootin' no holds barred Brit crime thriller, The Business succeeds by sheer thuggish intent.
Joe Utichi, FilmFocus
Will have a hard time appealing, even, to the Ladsy audience it's unmistakably made for.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Danny Dyer tones down his usual swaggering cockney act and gives a genuinely sympathetic performance - his relationship with Tamar Hassan's Charlie is surprisingly touching.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
Engaging, even though it lacks a single likeable character and is packed with cliches.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

Another British gangster flick filled with more cockneys than a south east cafe, Nick Love is at it again like his best mate Ritchie and to be fair to him he does make a solid flick. All the usual suspects are back again from Love's previous film to portray your common bunch of… More
Another British gangster flick filled with more cockneys than a south east cafe, Nick Love is at it again like his best mate Ritchie and to be fair to him he does make a solid flick. All the usual suspects are back again from Love's previous film to portray your common bunch of English criminals up to no good but this time they are all on the continent in Spain living it up with booze, drugs, sand n sex. Its pretty much exactly what Spain is really like around the coast, full of Brit chavs and Brits with money all fat and tanned looking like 'Del Trotter'. Nothing new to see here plot wise, its all about drug dealing, beating people up and the odd double cross but it is made and directed well looking spot on for its 80's setting. Love is a pro at getting that 80's look like his other film 'The Firm' and this film is probably his best so far, they all are cockney based plots of course. Not too different from 'Layer Cake' but not as good, close but this came one year too late basically and was beaten to the punch by Vaughn's film. On the plus side the film has a great soundtrack but you do get the impression Love has crammed in as many classic 80's tunes as possible just to get a good soundtrack deal for sales hehe.
Lady D

One of Danny Dyer's better films and certainly Nick Love's best. It's a harsh lesson to the quick rise and fall of an underworld lifestyle, perhaps glamourised a little too much, but a pretty good watch all the same. There are some great characters created here,… More
One of Danny Dyer's better films and certainly Nick Love's best. It's a harsh lesson to the quick rise and fall of an underworld lifestyle, perhaps glamourised a little too much, but a pretty good watch all the same. There are some great characters created here, in typical Brit crime abroad fashion.
Dean !

Far from being in the same league as Goodfellas, Casino. However this is an enjoyable British film showing the rise and fall of an East London gangster getting involved in the drug scene in Spain. Set in the 80's with the typical fashion of the time but with a great soundtrack to… More
Far from being in the same league as Goodfellas, Casino. However this is an enjoyable British film showing the rise and fall of an East London gangster getting involved in the drug scene in Spain. Set in the 80's with the typical fashion of the time but with a great soundtrack to boot. Quite violent, brutal and with a lot of swearing as well but an interesting story all the same.
Anthony L

Nick Love's best film to date. "You cardboard cut-out cunt"
jay n

Very routine B crime drama.
Dean M

This British/Spanish movie is more crime on drugs than Casino, more guns than GoodFellas, more swearing than Scarface.
Roy G

The Business is refreshingly violent and at one point, bloody gory as hell -- but it's also extremely funny, engaging and above all entertaining.