‘Brighton Rock’ is a film noir adaptation of Grahame Greene’s novel of the same name, “not the earlier film!” as the promo cries. In this version the story takes place in 1964, and as you may have gleaned from the title, the setting, England’s Brighton, infuses the whole movie.

Staring Sam Riley who brilliantly played the role of Ian Curtis in ‘Control’ – the story of Joy Division and written and directed by Rowan Joffe (The American, 28 Weeks Later), the film really milks the surroundings and the events of this time as an exciting and visually engaging backdrop for the action. The brutality of Pinkie’s (played by Riley) merciless blows under the pier, out of sight, are rapidly cut with, what are effectively moving snapshots of holiday scenes. The use of sound in this sequence is exquisite: the rock on the man’s head is cut with the flags flapping in the wind – chilling! And what a windy place! The heroine, Rose’s hair is all over the place. It all looks great on film, their stunning period outfits included, creating a sense of the world, it’s just not a very comfortable one.

Newcomer, Andrea Riseborough is a refreshing lead, as English looking as the grey sea and green hills. When her character Rose, unwittingly finds herself mixed up in Pinkie’s world, she looks every bit the innocent bystander, rather than, a hottie with a whitened smile, who just ‘happened’ to be sitting nearby, as Hollywood would have dictated.

The plot has its fair share of contrivances. Most obviously, the situation from which the core drama arises. Breakdown: an innocent young girl has information she shouldn’t and a criminal young boy has to save his skin. It’s a compelling foundation that feeds into multiple timeless and exciting scenarios including a heartbreaking one where Rose’s father bargains over how many guineas his daughter is worth. It’s an emotionally confusing moment because the characters are all at cross purposes but its complexity and honesty make it one of the most memorable.

The misleading trailer uses every ‘romantic’ moment from the film, resulting in a balanced two minutes of romance action. It would be a stretch to describe the relationship in the film as romantic in any way. The ‘romantic’ moments from the trailer, in context, are much darker and laced with danger, happening very suddenly and uncharacteristically.

Unfortunately the movie tries too hard to deliver on the ‘happy ending’ front, undermining the intensity of all that came before.

Brighton Rock is in cinemas April 14