THE SHOP AT SLY CORNER is a British crime film with a difference: a fresh-feeling story that avoids all of the usual clichés and keeps you guessing as to what's going to happen from beginning to end. The film features a warm performance from Austrian actor Oscar Homolka who plays a French ex-pat who now runs an antiques store. He also works as a fence for an old criminal friend, but when his assistant discovers his secret, the stage is set for blackmail and murder.
To say too much about the plot would be to spoil the thing. Suffice to say, THE SHOP AT SLY CORNER is a rather engrossing film which overcomes the slightly slow pacing to offer something a little more mature and distinguished to the usual crime bunkum. Homolka is completely sympathetic as the lead, but the standout acting honours must go to Kenneth Griffith as the loathsome Archie. This guy could have played a serial killer, he's so chilling in part; I'm not joking, he's up there with Richard Attenborough in BRIGHTON ROCK as one of the most unpleasant screen characters of the era.
To say too much about the plot would be to spoil the thing. Suffice to say, THE SHOP AT SLY CORNER is a rather engrossing film which overcomes the slightly slow pacing to offer something a little more mature and distinguished to the usual crime bunkum. Homolka is completely sympathetic as the lead, but the standout acting honours must go to Kenneth Griffith as the loathsome Archie. This guy could have played a serial killer, he's so chilling in part; I'm not joking, he's up there with Richard Attenborough in BRIGHTON ROCK as one of the most unpleasant screen characters of the era.