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Vinyl is a 2012 British crime drama film directed by Sara Sugarman and written by Sugarman and the leading actor Phil Daniels. The story is set in the early 2000s in London, England and revolves around a gangster named Johnny Jones, portrayed by Phil Daniels. The film explores the rise and fall of Johnny Jones, who was once a prominent figure in the London music scene but is currently struggling to make ends meet.

The movie features Jamie Blackley as the young musician, Dylan, who Johnny Jones takes under his wing. Perry Benson plays the role of the shady record producer, Ray, who works behind the scenes to advance Johnny Jones' career.

The movie opens with Johnny Jones working as a nightshift security guard at a record store, where he meets a young aspiring musician Dylan. Johnny sees potential in Dylan and invites him to record a demo for his own record label. Johnny funds the recording session, and they form a bond that becomes the driving force of the story.

As Dylan's popularity grows, Johnny's record label is in its prime, and he becomes a leader in the London music scene. However, Johnny’s fortune takes a turn for the worse when he turns down a deal from a major record label that Dylan was eager to sign. Despite the potential for success, Johnny’s pride gets the best of him, and he sinks further into the world of crime to keep his label and reputation intact.

As Johnny Jones struggles to maintain control of his artists and record label, Dylan becomes increasingly skeptical of Johnny's actions. He’s forced to confront the fact that his mentor is not the person he once believed him to be. Dylan realizes that Johnny has used violence and intimidation to stay on top, and it's only a matter of time before he must choose between loyalty to Johnny or the latter's downfall.

The film is an intriguing mediation on power, loyalty, and the fragile nature of success. It effectively combines elements of the music industry with the gritty world of crime to produce an engaging story that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

Phil Daniels delivers a remarkable performance as Johnny Jones, portraying him as a broken man who clings to the past and his artistic vision of the future. He's a tragic figure who was once a mover and shaker in the music world but has now been eclipsed by a younger and more talented generation.

Jamie Blackley portrays Dylan as a naive young man eager to succeed in the music industry. Perry Benson plays the role of the manipulative producer Ray exceptionally well, quickly becoming the antagonist of the story.

One of the best features of the movie was its unique visual style. Director Sara Sugarman utilized an innovative combination of light and colors to accurately represent the era's vibrant music scene. They project a fuzzy, languorous mood that immerses the audience in the world of the film.

Overall, Vinyl Is a unique and exciting crime drama that combines music and the criminal underworld to produce a distinctive cinematic experience. It features an excellent cast and direction that showcases a timeless tale of ambition, greed, and betrayal.

Vinyl is a 2012 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.