Written by Jag Singh and directed by Luke Roberts, The Setup is comedic twist on the classic British gangster films. City slicker James and his friend Leo both find themselves in a bit of a bind with a criminal King Pin called Mr Costello. These guys are more Laurel and Hardy than Cray Brothers but what they lack in criminal expertise they make up for with sheer balls.
From the opening credits sequence it is clear that the directorial skills gained by Luke Roberts through his work filming in the theatre have been successfully transferred into short filmmaking. The credits are creatively integrated into the opening sequence which adds a professional edge to the film, giving it the appearance of a Hollywood feature. The Setup is a brilliant case study in the way editing and visuals can be used to enhance a story – we are introduced to each of the four protagonists with a title card and a short montage style biography. Not only are these snippets hilarious and very well thought out, they work to quickly establish the important details of the characters. Establishing characters in a short film is always tricky because you have limited time to develop and expose them. The Setup’s ‘wham bam thank you ma’am’ approach to character introduction is perfect in terms of both style and narrative development.
In a nod to British history, the guys meet in a rather famous pub: The Blind Beggar. In 1966, gangster Ronnie Kray calmly shot rival gang member Georgie Cornell in the forehead in the same establishment. The Setup also tilts its cap to A Clockwork Orange though it’s use of Purcell’s ‘Music for the funeral of Queen Mary’.
After being introduced to Genzig (Genzig Hasim), Leo (Jag Singh), Ed (Joseph Lawton) and James (Adam Forster) they quickly disappear off into a night of debauchery which showcases more of Roberts’ exceptional camera work and editing. The morning after is always less fun. Especially when a violent criminal kingpin is breathing down your neck. As it happens, wheeler dealer Leo is unexpectedly empathetic when it comes to James’ misguided antics with the Romanian gang. They’re both in it up to their necks. A gangster film wouldn’t be a gangster film without an epic bar fight and The Setup boasts a very epic one. What’s not to love about a rock version of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ combined with a slow motion brawl. Punches and bottles fly, and there’s a certain twist involving a corkscrew (pun very much intended).
When it seems that the shy tech nerd, Ed, is also a target for Mr Costello, things really start to heat up. After removing Ed’s associate, a highly esteemed VIH (very important hamster) named Tyson, to a secure location, the three can crack on with the setup. They enlist the help of the angry Turk, Genzig as he has a very specialised skill set… and a cupboard full of guns. However, Ed decides to go rogue and hack Costello’s accounts, setting him up for fraud. But what will the consequences for his actions be?
The Setup is an excellent comedy which truly maximises the potential of combining humour with the gangster genre. For many involved in The Setup, this is their first time working on a short film. However, there is nothing to suggest a lack of confidence or uncertainty as the four main actors and the crew carry their roles exceptionally well. The writing of Jaq Singh provides a stable foundation for the narrative and this is elevated by Luke Robert’s exceptional cinematography, editing and directing. Joseph Lawton is brilliant as the tech savvy Ned – the glasses and plaid shirt channelling Moss vibes from The IT Crowd. He provides and perfect contrast to the gruff antics brought by Hasim and Singh as Genzig and Leo, and a charming awkwardness that plays against Forster’s portrayal of the smooth-talking James.
The Setup packs a lot into 30 minutes; it’s raucous, funny and certainly holds nothing back. It’s clear that a lot of work, dedication and passion has gone into this project – it really paid off!