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Bigga Than Ben: A Russian's Guide to Ripping Off London (3 stars)

  • Source: The List (Issue 605)
  • Date: 19 June 2008 (updated 29 July 2008)
  • Written by: Paul Dale
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Bigga Than Ben: A Russian's Guide to Ripping Off London

(SA Halewood, UK) 85min

Allegedly based on the diary of a young Moscovite who came to London in the late 1990s, Bigga than Ben is, for the majority of its running time, a distracting black comedy. Cobakka (Ben Barnes) and Spiker (Andrei Chadov) are a couple of Russian wide boys who, on arrival in Britain, quickly learn the beauty of cashback, shoplifting and smoking crack. Told with a tongue-in-cheek expositional glee that brings to mind Guy Ritchie’s mockney dramas, Bigga Than Ben certainly has a freewheeling charm that is greatly enhanced by some winning performances. As Cobakka and Spiker’s friendship breaks down, however, director Halewood seems at a loss how to make us feel emotion for these self-proclaimed racist scumbags.

Filmhouse, Fri 27 Jun, 9.30pm, £8 (£6.40).

More: Film, Reviews (Film), Andrei Chadov, Ben Barnes, Bigga Than Ben, Edinburgh Festivals, Edinburgh International Film Festival, EIFF, Film Festival

Bigga Than Ben: A Russian's Guide to Ripping Off London
Date Location
Allegedly based on the diary of a young Moscovite who came to London in the late 1990s, 'Bigga Than Ben' is, for the majority of its running time, a distracting black comedy. Cobakka (Barnes) and Spiker (Chadov) are a couple of Russian wide boys who, on arrival in Britain, quickly learn the beauty of cashback, shoplifting and smoking crack, but as their friendship breaks down, any emotion felt towards these self-proclaimed racist scumbags quickly dissolves.
3 Dec–4 Dec 2.00 Cameo, Edinburgh

Comments

1. Angel25 – 21 July 2008, 0:52amReport

Great Movie, I had the chance to watch it and it's great, the first half of the move is really fun. As the movie goes by, the characters change their point of view, Spiker turns himself in a dark man an then Ben Barnes who plays Cobbacka becomes the leading man of the story. Great performances of this two young actors.

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