The Take

Tom Sturdy and Rob Evans in "The Take" Shot in Ireland by Company Pictures & Warner Siblings for Sky1 and Sky1 HD, and written by ITV Galleries Global Entertainment. Executive producers, Lavinia Warner, Charles Pattinson, George Faber, Helen Flint, Suzan Harrison, Andrew Lowe, Elaine Pyke, Martina Cole producer, Willow Grylls director, David Drury author, Neil Biswas in line with the book by Martina Cole.Freddie Jackson - Tom Sturdy Jimmy - Rob Evans Maggie - Charlotte now Riley Jackie - Kierston Wareing Ozzy - John CoxA small-scale 2009 British crime drama acquired as original programming for Encore, "The Take" provides the simple pleasure of Tom Sturdy at his brutish, glowering best. Launched from prison within the opening moments, his thuggish Freddie Jackson is really feral and simian regarding recall Paul Muni within the original "Scarface," establishing an uncomfortable and finally adversarial relationship together with his more cerebral cousin, also well performed by Rob Evans. "The Take" is mob light, possibly, but nonetheless originates in a fashion that deftly pulls you thru all of its four hourlong sections. Hardy's Freddie is almost not a deep thinker. Rather, he's vulnerable to settling disputes having a damaged bottle and asking them questions later. Cousin Jimmy (Evans) -- who becomes his unlikely partner -- hardly appears to become his match. Besides he depend on his wits, but he even includes a lovely girlfriend, Maggie (Charlotte now Riley), who humanizes him -- and does not trust Freddie. Yet with mob boss Ozzy (the always-splendid John Cox) in jail, the 2 remain to handle his dirty dealings, regardless of the growing tension together. And without giving an excessive amount of away, alliances change in unpredictable ways over a length covering ten years. From the mid-eighties, the storyline, by Neil Biswas (modified from Martina Cole's novel) and directed by David Drury includes enough violence and tragedy to sustain a powerful feeling of menace -- a minimum of, before the final hour, in which the payback does not quite equal the buildup. The majority of the drama naturally comes from the mercurial Freddie, a personality Sturdy -- whose resume features a terrific "Wuthering Levels" remake, before entering director Christopher Nolan's orbit via "Beginning" and also the approaching Batman follow up -- becomes a seething, volatile presence. He's the type of functioning psychopath who are able to set off in a moment's notice, and makes what otherwise might be a rather tired crime drama eminently watchable and suspenseful. Although a few of the cultural facets of Britain within the go-go 1980s may not resonate having a U.S. audience, for Encore, the purchase nonetheless qualifies like a no-brainer -- offering pay-TV grit inexpensively. Along the way, the takeaway from "The Take" again proves a classic showbiz saw: Cast the best actor like a mobster, and being bad could be pretty damn good.Camera, Owen McPolin production designer, Susie Cullen editor, Chris Ridsdale music, Ruth Barrett casting, Emma Style. 4 Hrs. Contact John Lowry at john.lowry@variety.com