Idris Elba stars in a none-Elba-like role, here as a retired rugby star named Max whose marriage to former actress Emily (Gemma Arterton) is dying. Both of them are unfaithful: he’s hopping from relationships to alcohol; she’s involved with an old flame (Tom Cullen). But this?Crash-like ensemble piece involves two other pairings we’re inclined to find more engaging.
In one set, street thug Kingsley (Franz Drameh, who also does the narration) finds wisdom in the rambling actor Terence (Ken Stott); in the other, George (Charlie Creed-Miles) and Kathy (Kierston Wareing) are trying (unsuccessfully) to adopt a child.
While Elba’s gravelly tones are engaging, one might be best off watching the previous scenes of?Luther. There’s just not enough here to fulfill our desire to see how these storylines play out or why these folks find themselves in the predicaments they do. If you find more there, you’ll appreciate the behind-the-scenes take with Elba and director Jim O’Hanlon.
