This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the 2015 film “Peterman,” directed by Mark Abraham. It delves into the movie’s production history, offers a detailed examination of its plot and characters, summarizes its critical reception, investigates its box office performance, presents key factual data, lists the main cast members, and explores its cinematography, drawing upon a range of online sources.
Production History
The film “Peterman,” released in 2015, marked the directorial debut of Mark Abraham, with the screenplay also being the first feature film script penned by Andy Bloom. Production for the crime thriller commenced in July 2013 and took place on location around Dunstable, Bedfordshire, in the United Kingdom. The production companies behind “Peterman” were Control Films, Safe The Movie Ltd., and Talent Films. Despite the relative inexperience of both the director and the writer in feature films, they managed to secure a distinguished cast for the project.
Plot Analysis
The narrative of “Peterman” revolves around Johnny, a young man grappling with a severe heroin addiction. Following the death of his grandfather, who was a skilled safe cracker, Johnny finds himself to be the only living individual capable of opening a particular safe. This unfortunate circumstance places him in a precarious position when a degenerate crew of violent gangsters kidnap him, demanding that he use his inherited skill to their benefit. For Johnny, however, his overwhelming desire to satisfy his drug habit often takes precedence over the dangerous situation he is in. Dialogue from the film suggests a tense and perilous environment, with Johnny being warned against lying to the gangsters, as it would lead to severe consequences. The tagline “You Can’t Escape The Family Firm,” found on TMDB, hints at a deeper connection to the criminal underworld, possibly through his grandfather’s past, suggesting themes of familial obligation and the difficulty of escaping one’s heritage.
Character Analysis
The central figure of “Peterman” is Johnny, portrayed by Joe Cole. His role is that of the protagonist, a heroin addict burdened by the legacy of his safe-cracking grandfather, who now finds himself forced to use those skills for criminal purposes. Johnny’s primary motivation is his addiction, which clouds his judgment and drives his actions throughout the film. While the film explores his immediate predicament, the potential for his character to develop beyond his addiction or to find a form of redemption remains a key aspect of his narrative arc.
The character of the Grandfather, played by Phil Davis, though deceased, plays a significant role in the story. He appears to Johnny as a ghost in some instances, suggesting a lingering influence or perhaps a manifestation of Johnny’s guilt or memories. The Grandfather’s motivations are revealed through Johnny’s recollections and perhaps through their spectral interactions, indicating a past affection for his grandson.
The Gangsters function as the primary antagonists in the film. Driven by greed, they resort to violence and kidnapping to achieve their goal of accessing the contents of the safe. Their interactions with Johnny are characterized by threats and intimidation, highlighting the dangerous world he is forced into.
Other notable characters include Auntie Jean, played by Alison Steadman, and Old Boy, played by Peter Bowles. Their specific roles and motivations within the narrative require further research beyond the provided snippets
Critical Reception
Critical reception for “Peterman” appears to be limited based on the provided snippets. IMDb lists two critic reviews, but their content is not available. However, user reviews on IMDb offer some insight into how the film was received by audiences. One featured review describes “Peterman” as an above-average British gangster drama, praising Joe Cole’s convincing performance as the lead, as well as the writing and directing by Andy Bloom and Mark Abraham. The reviewer did note that the scenes involving Johnny’s conversations with his grandfather’s ghost were unnecessary. TMDB indicates no user reviews for the film. The initial audience reception on IMDb suggests a generally positive view, particularly highlighting the acting and filmmaking aspects.
Box Office Performance
Information regarding the box office performance of “Peterman” is scarce within the provided research material. While the film had a theatrical release in the UK, likely around late 2014 or early 2015 , specific details about its earnings, both domestically and internationally, are not readily available. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the film’s commercial success or lack thereof based on the current information.
Factual Data
According to IMDb, “Peterman” has a user rating of 5.8 out of 10. On TMDB, the film holds a rating of 55%. Information regarding a Rotten Tomatoes rating is not available within the provided snippets.
Cast
The main cast of “Peterman” includes:
- Phil Davis as Grandad
- Joe Cole as Johnny
- Peter Bowles as Old Boy
- Alison Steadman as Auntie Jean
- Brian McCardie as Bill
- Kenny Doughty as Jim
- Stuart Graham as Pete
- Adam Nagaitis as Dave
A more comprehensive list of the cast and crew can be found on IMDb
Cinematography
Information regarding the cinematography of “Peterman” is not explicitly detailed in the provided research snippets. Further investigation into reviews or articles specifically discussing the visual style, camera work, lighting, and framing of the film would be necessary to provide a comprehensive analysis of its cinematography.
Conclusion
“Peterman” (2015), directed by Mark Abraham, presents a gritty crime thriller centered on a heroin addict forced to confront his family legacy and the dangerous world of organized crime. While the film marks the debut of its director and writer, it garnered a notable cast and received generally positive feedback from early audience reviews on IMDb. However, information regarding its critical reception and box office performance remains limited within the scope of this research. The film’s IMDb rating of 5.8/10 and TMDB rating of 55% offer a glimpse into its overall reception. Further research would be beneficial to gain a more complete understanding of the film’s cinematic techniques and its broader impact.