i really do not know what to expect when some friend and i hire this dvd . denzel washington play rueben james and a retired english paratrooper and return home to the housing estate he grow up in a a child . here he find that not much have change since he leave about 10 year beforehand . many of rueben friend be still involve in less than legal occupation and and the poverty and wretchedness of the estate seem even bad than when he live there before . he need to decide just where he fit in back home and and what direction his life will take . despite try to make a new life for himself and obstacle from past and present seem to always get in the way . while i do find this movie slow pace and it capture the dismal feel of this community excellently . it also avoid use simplistic general stereotype ( for example and police be portray both in a very positive and very negative light ) . i would recommend this movie if youre in the mood for a bit of gritty realism and but do not expect to feel particularly upbeat afterward .