SINK

★★★ OUT 12 OCTOBER / CERT 15 / 87 MINS DIRECTOR Mark Gillis

CAST Martin Herdman, ian Hogg, Marlene Sidaway, Tracey Wilkinson

BOASTING MARK RYLANCE and the late Alan Rickman as associate producers, Mark Gillis’ debut feature is rooted firmly in the social realist tradition. it’s a bit busy in places, as misfortunes rain in on fiftysomething londoner Micky (Herdman) as he strives to find a job while caring for his dementia-suffering father (Hogg) and recovering addict son (Josh Herdman). Moreover, a timely intervention by a genial drug baron somewhat strains the credibility. but Gillis captures the mood and argot of daily life without resorting to melodrama. Moreover, Herdman excels as he trudges the mean East End streets overlooked by the twinkling edifices of the city, which appear to be a world away.