An impressively ambitious feature directed by Sam Bradford – The Pay Day takes the classic features of a heist film and mixes them together with comedy, wit, and just a little bit of romance.
IT technician, Jennifer, (Kyla Frye) has just been let go from her job after completing a huge project for a thankless boss. The aptly named Ms Boomer (Ellen Thomas) suggests that Jennifer should not expect any handouts or special treatment – she should learn life the hard way. Jennifer is treated less than fairly, with no respect for her skills or even her humanity taken into consideration. Like many of us, Jennifer dislikes confrontation. She takes the hit on the chin and goes home. But as injustice eats away at her, a rage builds within. She uses her coding skills to lock the company out of their own systems. A final “F you” to capitalist greed. Ellen Thomas as Ms Boomer is satisfyingly cruel – she gives us absolutely everything you could want in an antagonistic character. She is unabashed in her notion that she is utterly above everyone else.
Jennifer’s life takes a violent twist in a different direction, however, when she is summoned by a mysterious phone call to meet with a man named Gates (Simon Callow). She has been scouted for a ‘mission’ that would be an even bigger win against those who profit from underhand dealings by bending the rules to their financial gain, specifically MPs. While Gates has chosen Jennifer for her tech skills, he also has dirt on her, making it far easier to blackmail her into doing his bidding. All she has to do is gain access to an office building and download the data onto a flash drive. And there’s also a cool five million pounds in it for Jenifer; 1% of the £500 million contained within the accounts.
Between the money and the blackmailing, Jennifer can hardly pass up the opportunity. And so the heist begins.
After a rocky start, Jennifer makes good progress. That is until it becomes apparent there is another heist occurring at the same time. A dashingly good looking lad from Liverpool; a career criminal with his eyes on the same prize. George is a smooth as they come, but he still doesn’t manage to give Jennifer the slip. With many twists and turns, the pair eventually find themselves having to work together. The enemies to teammates narrative arc is entertainingly executed. Suffused with sarcasm, wit and a dash of flirtation, the plot unfolds at a good pace. There are also good supporting cast members who appear throughout the film, keeping things fresh and helping to move everything along. The two policemen (Jacob Anderton and Miles Mitchell) who investigate the report of a disturbance in the office building are very entertaining.
The film concludes with a satisfying karma and the implication that Jennifer and George may become more than just heist buddies. Kyla Frye and Sam Benjamin work brilliantly together as the central protagonists. Frye is wonderfully witty, shining in every scene. The development of the chemistry between Frye and Benjamin is particularly commendable as they move from suspicion and unease to companionship with great fluidity. Benjamin walks the fine line between being cocky and being a cock (pardon the joke). His laid-back attitude contrasts comically with Jennifer’s anxious inexperience. The pair are extremely engaging and carry the film with their humour. Simon Callow as Gates is the perfect mysterious Englishman. Shadowy and always with the air of threat hanging around him. The cinematography by Phil Thomas, and editing by Michael Lesley, gives the film an exceptionally polished feel. The Pay Day certainly wouldn’t feel out of place on the big screen. With music by Daisy Coole and Tom Nettleship bringing everything together, the film is executed like a good heist should be – smoothly and with no faffing around.
Watch the trailer below!