This is a pity because it tends to ruin the first half of the movie. These anachronistic aspects are totally distracting. As someone who was a teenager in this period let me tell you now there's no way anyone would have a shell suit or that type of hairstyle in the early to mid 1980s.
Indeed there's a TV report that Leon Brittain is home secretary which means it's set in 1983-85. But this illusion is contradicted by the musical soundtrack with artists likeSoft Cell, Tears For Fears and The Rock Steady Crew which gives the impression it's 1983 or 84 at the latest. Likewise the hairstyles indicate that it's 1989-90 when the first film was set. Characters walk around in shell suits which were once considered to be cool in about 1989 or 1990. It's the cinematography that will be your abiding memory of this film The problem is that while you're watching the film and old enough to remember the 1980s you'll be forever scratching your head wondering what year it's set in. The cinematography by the ironically named Matt Gray gives the impression that we're seeing an up and coming Roger Deakins in action and one wonders why Gray is confined to television.
Instead he shoots a movie that has a wonderful rich look. Wisely Love decides not to follow this type of directing style. This film a remake of the highly regarded Alan Clarke drama from 1989 is a previous attempt to be cynical Clarke was along with Loach and Leigh the master of British realist cinema. If the film was called RAY WINSTIONE PLAYING HIMSELF SORTING OUT SOME NAUGHTY CRIMINALS it probably wouldn't have been such a success but hey there's nothing like a little cynicism if only to irritate and annoy the luvvie film critics who can't get enough poncy art house cinema. Of course the fact that it's made a million quid at the box office is probably down to the title. Despite Nick Love being the most criticised film director working in Britain today his remake of THE SWEENEY has topped the UK film this week.