Looking to be the top Mod gangster, Pinkie Brown (Sam Riley) will stop at nothing to be the biggest name in the crime world - bigger than the competitor Colleoni (Andy Serkis). The story takes place in 1964 in Brighton, once a quiet seaside town, is suddenly overrun by gangs of sharp suited Mods and greasy Rockers looking for a riot. This BRIGHTON ROCK has been updated from the original 1930s setting to the 1960s and the screenplay is by Rowan Joffe (who also directs) - tough competition with the original writers! The result is a dark film that relies on performances by some actors who are not up to the task and makes them seem even more weak by the presence of such brilliant actors in smaller roles as Helen Mirren, John Hurt, Philip Davis and Andrea Riseborough. Even if you (as I assume is the case for most people reading this!) are not from, or have never been to Brighton, Brighton Rock is still an exceptionally powerful read.Ī crime thriller that ticks all the boxes.BRIGHTON ROCK is a British remake of the 1947 brilliant film noir based on the novel by Graham Greene an adapted for the screen by Graham Greene and Terrance Rattigan. Throughout the book, the suspense never lets up and the pace, right up to the thrilling climax, is just perfect.

Not knowing his true nature, she is drawn to his charisma, but it’s fair to say that Pinkie’s motives for the marriage are not as pure. Pinkie marries the sweet and innocent waitress Rose, who is the opposite of him in every way. After consoling a terrified Hale, she is the unexpected force of justice that makes it her mission to expose Pinkie for what he is and ensure he doesn’t keep getting away with his crimes.īelieve it or not, there is also a romantic sub-plot (of sorts). Hale had previously written an article that betrayed the former leader of Pinkie’s gang, so Pinkie wants his revenge.Īs with every good crime tale, an adversary is needed, step forward Ida Arnold. Set in the 1930s, a newspaper reporter, Hale, goes to Brighton for a work assignment, but he knows this town is Pinkie’s domain and (as the fantastic opening sentence states) knows Pinkie wants to murder him.

It’s true – there is not much to like about his character, but he is intensely compelling. He is a ruthless, sinister sociopath, who is often described as an ‘anti-hero’. In Brighton Rock, Greene gives us a truly memorable murderer – 17 year old, baby-faced Pinkie Brown: The youngest member of a criminal gang, but also their leader. Opening sentence: Hale knew, before he had been in Brighton three hours, that they meant to murder him.

Brighton rock book review