very much in the tradition of the american gangster film of the 30 and 40 and this movie centre around a bravura performance by the central gangster ( edward g robinson or james cagney then while bob hoskins now ) . bob hoskins raf and fight against a world that be rapidly move beyond his control and and although he be an unpleasant and violent and vicious character and you end up care for him . interest also a a historical snapshot of a period in london history ( the redevelopment of the docklands ) now go .