London to Brighton – 2006 | 85 mins | Thriller, Drama | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Written and directed by debut British writer-director Paul Andrew Williams, London to Brighton is the critically acclaimed urban thriller that has proved to be one of the most important films in recent British film history. Violent, uncompromising and utterly enthralling, the low-budget film features an excellent cast, razor sharp dialogue and empathetic handling of issues including homelessness and child prostitution. After an exhilarating and encouraging start, the story gradually becomes less about the thought-provoking human tragedy and enters the realm of clichés, as the influence of contemporary British thrillers including Mona Lisa, Performance and Get Carter begin to reveal themselves.

It’s 3:07am and two girls burst into a run down toilet. Orphaned runaway Joanne (Georgia Groome) is crying her eyes out and her clothing is ripped. Kelly’s (Lorraine Stanley) face is bruised and starting to swell. Millionaire nonce Duncan Allen lies in his bathroom bleeding to death. Duncan’s quiet-spoken son, psychotic gangster Stuart (Sam Spruell), has found his father and wants answers. Derek (Johnny Harris), Kelly’s pimp, needs to find Kelly or it will be him who pays. Prostitute Kelly and 11-year-old companion Joanne need the fare for a train to Brighton so Kelly is forced to turn a trick to raise the funds. By morning they reach the sanctuary of the home of one of Kelly’s friends in Brighton – but a mobile phone call is about to give their hiding place away.