The Wee Man (2013) – Released in Selected Cinemas Now

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Directed by:
Written by:
Starring: , , , ,

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[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtk_FWVL448[/youtube]

Running Time: 106 mins

Certification: 18

Reviewer: David Gillespie – Official HCF Artist

Ray Burdis crime biopic follows the rise of infamous and titular character, Paul Ferris (The Wee Man), a Glasgow gangster that turned to crime from a young age after years of bullying and abuse from the violent youths around him. Ferris is portrayed as a ruthless but fair criminal that yearns to get out of the mob and spend more time with his family. The reality is that the production had to relocate to London after Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police refused permission for film to be shot in his home town due to the moral implications of a criminal profiting and presumably how the police are portrayed in the story. Joe Jackson, former head of Strathclyde’s Serious Crime Squad condemned the film, stating “Ferris is a nasty piece of work who has committed the most heinous crimes. He should not be glorified in any shape or form.”

The-Wee-Man

The Wee Man begins with a young Ferris peering out his bedroom window as a man is brutally attacked outside. His kind but alcoholic father (a superb but underused Denis Lawson) warns him that there are animals out there and if he wants to survive then he should trust no one, keep secrets to himself and always go his own road. He tells him to be a lion. When the young boy glances back out of the window he realises to his astonishment that it has been the police that have beaten the man to an inch of his life.

When Ferris (Martin Compston) reaches his teens, he becomes tired of the constant abuse he receives from a pack of juvenile delinquents. When they sexually assault his girlfriend, he attacks them with a knife and later admits to enjoying the experience. He catches the eye of the local crime lord, Arthur Thompson (Patrick Bergen) who takes him under his wing. Forced to team up with his unhinged son, Junior (a wonderful Stephen McCole – Rushmore and Neds), the Thompson gang become the dominant force in the Glasgow area. However Junior is jealous of his father’s affection towards Ferris and organises to take over the operation with the help of a rival gang leader, Tam McGraw (John Hannah).

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As a fictional crime story, The Wee Man is a solid enough piece of entertainment. The performances for the most part are strong with Crompston proving that his debut in Sweet Sixteen (2002) was no fluke and that he can carry a lead role admirably. However it is McCole that steals every scene that he appears in. Junior is a truly repugnant creation. A sociopath with no morals or conscience to the devastation he causes as he stamps his authority around Glasgow’s slums. Patrick Bergen and John Hannah are not so convincing as the two rival gang lords. Hannah just does not have the presence or stature to tackle this type of role and Bergen’s accent is all over the place as the feared godfather of Glasgow.

The Wee Man is no more or less than another competant British gangster yarn with Glasgow accents replacing the Cockney ones. I would probably recommend that you catch this on DVD rather than venture to see it on the big screen.

Rating: ★★★★★½☆☆☆☆

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About DAVID GILLESPIE 169 Articles
Fighting for clean bathrooms and restrooms since 1974.

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