Watch Plastic

Plastic is a British heist crime film directed by Julian Gilbey, released in 2014. The movie features a young, arrogant and confident group of college friends, who perpetrate an audacious credit card fraud, which leads them to a dangerous path. Based on a true story, the film revolves around a group of four friends namely Sam (Ed Speleers), Yatesey (Alfie Allen), Rafa (Sebastian De Souza), and Fordy (Will Poulter), who are in their early twenties, and fed up with the college routine.

Sam's ambition is to provide a luxurious lifestyle to his girlfriend, who desires to move to Miami. He concocts a plan and convinces his group of friends to scam wealthy individuals using credit card information accessed through various illegal means. Their targets turned out to be some of the richest people in the world, including footballer Rio Ferdinand, among others.

The group faces several obstacles and risks as they continue in their fraudulent activities. After initial success, they attract the attention of a notorious crime lord, Marcel (Thomas Kretschmann), who offers them an ultimatum: work for him or face prison time. The group, sensing that they have no choice, agrees to perform a highly risky operation to repay Marcel's debt, which involves stealing a collection of rare and valuable artworks from one of the most secured vaults in Europe.

However, as the group's actions become more dangerous and their choices become more unethical, the morality of their enterprise is brought into question. Sam slowly begins to realize the price of his ambition, and the impact of his fraudulent activities on the lives of innocent people. Simultaneously, Marcel becomes increasingly vicious and ruthless, leading to a final showdown between the group and the criminal lord.

The film's premise is known for its complex plot and the portrayal of engaging characters that are both menacing and relatable, with emotional depth that transcends the film's genre. Aspects of romance and humor are also present throughout the movie, making it a well-rounded viewing experience.

The dynamic between the group of friends is intriguing, as their motivations and allegiances change throughout the movie. Ed Speleers delivers a standout performance, as he portrays his character's journey from being a charming scammer to his end realization that something has to be done before it's too late. Will Poulter also delivers an admirable performance as Fordy, Son of a London mobster, who provides a refreshing comic relief to the tension-filled scenes.

Director Julian Gilbey had previously worked on films such as "Rise of the Footsoldier" and "A Lonely Place to Die," and with Plastic, he delivers a well-crafted film that is as stylish as it is slick. Despite the clichéd setting of the “gritty London underworld,” the film stands out with its smart twists and an original take on a familiar genre.

Nonetheless, the criticisms of the film include the movie's dependence on certain tropes, such as frequent sexual objectification of women, which may make it unpleasant for some viewers. The film also relies on numerous coincidences to propel the plot forward, making it seem somewhat unrealistic.

Overall, Plastic is an engaging crime movie with well-crafted characters and plot that keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats. The film's engaging plot, strong acting, and realistic portrayal of credit card fraud make it an entertaining watch that is never dull, and it provides a glimpse into the deadly consequences and risks involved in the world of financial scams.

Plastic is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 32.