I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead marks Mike Hodges first film since Croupier, a fantastic film noir that teamed him with Clive Owen. They’re back, although the results aren’t quite as electrifying. Owen stars as a gangster-turned-hermit who’s forced to return to his old life when his brother commits suicide, as he’s convinced something (or someone) must have caused him to take his own life. The premise is certainly an intriguing one, and the re-teaming of Hodges and Owen is promising, but the story unfolds too slowly to hold much interest (in the first half, anyway). By the time Owen turns into a total badass in the last half hour, it’s almost too late (I said almost; Clive Owen playing a badass is never an unwelcome thing).

**1/2 out of ****

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