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Parents' Guide to

The Sweeney

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Brutal but effective crime drama based on '70s UK TV series.

Movie R 2013 112 minutes
The Sweeney Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

As the head of the Flying Squad of London's Metropolitan Police, detective Jack Regan (Ray Winstone) and his team regularly use unorthodox methods (including baseball bats) to get results and catch criminals. Unfortunately, they're now under investigation by DCI Ivan Lewis (Steven Mackintosh), a situation that's made worse by the fact that Jack is having an affair with a member of his squad, Ivan's wife, Nancy (Hayley Atwell). And the investigation happens to occur in the middle of a sticky case. After a jewelry store robbery that turned to murder, Jack catches the likely suspects but finds that they have rock-solid alibis -- so he must let them go. Jack's antics land him in jail, and it's up to his squad to find new evidence and set things right.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Director Nick Love gives The Sweeney a gritty, realistic look, which contrasts with the screenplay's more rudimentary conflicts, twists and turns, and chase scenes. It's not clear just how many Americans will be familiar with the 1970s UK TV series that inspired THE SWEENEY, whose title comes from Cockney rhyming slang ("Sweeney Todd" = "Flying Squad"). But, happily, it can still be enjoyed by fans of basic, action-oriented crime dramas. The film feels like it should be smarter than it really is.

But Oscar-nominated co-screenwriter John Hodge (Trainspotting) gives colorful lead character Jack Regan a range of moods, from romantic abandon to humor to desperation and determination; it's really more of a character piece than a police drama. It's too bad the other characters don't quite spring to life in the same way. But if you sit back and enjoy the way that Winstone's energetic performance generously draws out the other characters, the movie becomes a great deal of fun in spite of itself.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about The Sweeney's violence. Does it justify the use of brutal police force to capture criminals? Is it entirely acceptable, or are there questions? Can the ends ever justify the means?

  • Is it OK to use unorthodox methods to achieve something? Or is it better to follow the rules, even if those rules make it more difficult?

  • What makes the main character smoke cigarettes? How does the movie portray smoking overall? Drinking?

  • Do you think viewers need to be familiar with the show that inspired the movie to enjoy it?

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