A guy learns of his friend’s death, but the official explanation doesn’t add up – so he sets out in search of the truth, with a side order of revenge.
It’s a well-used hook, but Ken Loach and his regular writer Paul Laverty bring it up to date by linking it to the notorious use of ‘contractors’ (ie mercenary forces) in Iraq.
After the relatively gentle Looking For Eric, this is Loach with all guns blazing.
His target – the privatisation of war – is a thoroughly deserving one, but shouty acting and heavy-handed plotting drown out the powerful, cogent message, leaving us with a left-wing version of Death Wish.
