Expected more

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Deciding whose side you're on whilst watching The Debt Collector isn't easy. Hicky Dryden (Billy Connolly) is certainly a low-life ex- criminal who has left scars on many people during his career as a collector for the shadier side of loan sharking but, in his older years, he is a changed man (well, until aggravated). He is married to a lovely wife (Francesca Annis) who isn't totally aware of his past - although she knows a bit - but takes him as she has him now.Unfortunately, there is a cop, Gary Keltie (Ken Stott) who has a very long memory and a somewhat over-zealous desire to see justice done for many of Nicky's victims. There are times when you sympathise with Keltie and want to see Nicky get his and then there are times when you want him to fail.Good luck understanding some of the Scottish brogue during this movie (you may need subtitles) although the language of the underworld is pretty universal. Ultimately, both Nicky and Gary's outcomes are more determined by others that they are by themselves - but I'll let you find all that out on your own.

This is a clever movie. Investigators try to get into the mind of a criminal and become them. That takes obsession, but what happens when obsession takes you? It's a fact of life that most people would like to be the tough, bad guy and this seems to be where this movie gets it's ideas. A life time on stage has prepared Connolly well. His performance is admirable. Admittedly, it's been about 3 years since I seen this film as I write this, though I remember strong feelings associated with it. There's something very real about it. I don't want to spoil this for anyone thinking of watching it, so I'll just say the "assualt" scene is particularly real and horrifically scary, as is the fight scene. No stupid Hollywood sound effects added to this one, and that's what makes it so damn scary because it doesn't seem as though it's just an act. If you like Connolly, check it out. If you like a thriller, same deal. If you like movies at all, there's no reason not to have a peek.

Great character story. No good guys and no bad guys, just human beings. Yes, we find it difficult to sympathise with any of them, but then it's not supposed to be an emotional story, just a series of character sketches. Connolly did not give a great performance and in many scenes where others might survive a close-up we see his head drop out of view (what's he hiding - lack of ability perhaps?). However, I would recommend it to anyone who likes sombre tales about ex-cons who do or don't make it. I'd like to see a remake with De Niro and Pacino - although I think they've already done it. What's it called?

This was a good film, with excellent performances. Billy Connolly adds yet another great performance to his growing list of acting achievements. Violent movie, but very realistic, at points in the movie we had sympathies for main male characters, however that does not last until the end of the film, by which time we came to despise them both.Very much reminded me of the Jimmy Boyle story, for those of you who know of & about him, with Connolly performing that role, indeed I believe he spoke with Boyle prior to filming.Not a good advert for Edinburgh though!