Sumotherhood (2023)

Aside from a rather fun cameo from Ed Sheeran that reminded me that he probably lived a street life not a million miles away from the characters here when he was younger and homeless, the rest of this is really rather disappointing. As you'd expect from Adam Deacon ("Riko"), the writing is break-neck paced and littered with humour, contemporary references and there is a definite chemistry between him and his sidekick (and co-writer) "Kane" (Jazzie Zonzolo). Petty criminals in just about every sense of the word, they find themselves £15k in the hole and desperate to raise the cash. Looks like a robbery is the solution - so they try. A wealthy gent in the toilet? A bank branch? Will they make the cash and escape with their lives? If you listen to the dialogue then it is certainly cleverly constructed with some potent observations contained within the relentlessness of the delivery. It's that last bit that I struggled with, though. It plays way too much to linguistic stereotypes and my brain actually felt more attacked by the constant verbal onslaught than entertained enough by it. I think if I had seen this on stage with just the two men, then it could have made for a belter of a two man show shining a light on their East London community, but as a film the visual comedic elements are all just a bit too predictable and I found the other characterisations - there are really only two of note - just a bit annoying. There's far too much soundtrack and I also felt Deacon just a bit too old to carry off the role very plausibly. It has it's moments, just not enough of them.

Whether you like <em>'Sumotherhood'</em> or not is probably based on if you like 2011's <em>'Anuvahood'</em>.

I think both films are on the same level. I remember that other flick being quite popular at my school at the time, me and my mates would even quote bits - none more so than that Fruittella line, which is amusingly called back to in this one. There are many callbacks, despite it not being an actual sequel. On that note, I'm not sure why it isn't (was initially billed as such); seems an odd decision, a behind the scenes issue, I guess?

It, like the first one, is an extremely silly movie. If you just come into this not knowing anything about it then I'd say it's likely you'll really dislike it. I probably would in that scenario, though due to the first film I knew exactly what was going to greet my eyes with this more recent release. The stuff at the bank is standout of the movie, the only scenes that made me cringe were the ones involving Bhasker Patel and his crew.

Adam Deacon and Jazzie Zonzolo are the ones who again lead this mess (which it is, objectively) and they make it work, to be fair. Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is genuinely the best actor here though, he makes his character more noteworthy than others would've. Richie Campbell is as cuckoo as before, while certain cameos from a musician and a politician are funny. I also appreciate Vas Blackwood, as well as Eddie Kadi's return.

We all have those films that you enjoy just enough, despite all logic telling you they are terrible productions. These sorta flicks, which are welcome, are exactly that for me. If I said I disliked it, I'd be lying.