It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

I first watched 'Love, Honour and Obey' back when it was released in 2000. Seeing as I've always been reasonably into British gangster films, in short, I thought it was pretty cool. However, I never had it on DVD and have only just got round to re-watching it a good fifteen years later. Despite my good memories of the film, I begrudgingly have to admit that it hasn't aged all that well.Perhaps I was so into Guy Ritchie's style of cockney gangster flick of the late nineties/early 2000s that I somehow lumped this into the same nostalgically-good category. I don't want to be too harsh on it, because there are definitely some good points and I didn't totally hate it – it just let me down on a repeat viewing. We meet Johnny Lee Miller's character who is pretty much a London nobody and dreams of working his way into 'the mob' who it just so happens that his childhood friend, Jude Law, is already related to.The overall impression I got after the credits rolled was that it felt more like a 'made-for-TV' movie. And, upon looking into it, I did find that it was originally shown on the BBC before its release on DVD (or VHS in those days!). It's rare that I notice the 'direction' of a film so much. Normally, a film is cut together so smoothly that you can follow the story at all times. However, here scenes just sort of end as if the film cut out mid-dialogue. It really is a bit jarring after a while. Plus there are some scenes that don't really go anywhere and feel a little out of place in the scheme of things. And, while we're on the topic of odd scenes, this film does struggle to know what it wants to be. At first glance it's a gangster film, but it's never really dark and gritty enough to be that nasty. It throws weird comedic scenes and plot-lines in there which wouldn't be out of place in an American Pie film. However, again, it's not funny enough to be a comedy and, like the editing, it bounces all over the place.But, like I say, even now I didn't feel I totally wasted my time watching it. For a start it contains a stellar cast, headed by Ray Winstone, Johnny Lee Miller and Jude Law (the less said about Sadie Frost's performance the better). However, the stand-out performance comes from a truly menacing Rhys Ifans for his rival villain. For some reason they're all called by their actors' first names – weird, but interesting. Then you have the karaoke scenes which really are quite fun (not to mention catchy!).There was still just about enough nostalgia here to entertain me and, if you're a major fan of any of the leads, you'll probably find enjoyment during its hour and a half run-time. However, I can't see it being regarded as much of a classic in the long run. It was kind of trying to ride the coattails of Lock, Stock and hope no one really noticed. I did at the time, but it doesn't now.

love honour and obey is one of the finest movies of its ilk. A parody of all the fifties movies and a snub at Tarantino. it takes a poke at the London gangster formula of gangster movie that guy Richie made his name from. the script is fast paced and the actors look like they are having fun in each scene. the fact that actual actors names are used in the movie should be a nod to its self depreciation. the music is very fitting and unlike any other gangster film that has come before or since. the acting is just slick enough and not too overplayed.I can't believe the rating it's received on IMDb. check it out. I promise you you'll laugh out loud.

From personal experience, I can understand the escalation of violence in the underworld of a large city like London. This film is a superb concise representation as such, but even more of a bonus is the humour that goes with it. Yes it can be childish, just like a Roadrunner cartoon or Tom and Jerry, but does that make it a bad thing? I think not. As for acting, considering the backgrounds of a lot of the actors, it's exceptionally well done. Note how almost all the characters have the same first names as their characters, which in turn makes it easier to keep up with. Some genuinely disturbing and violent scenes also add to the bitter-sweet mix, and possibly one of my all time favourite action scenes with a mass shoot out really get the adrenaline going.All in all, if you get the chance to see it, do. It's a great "unheard" of film history, certainly up there with Lock Stock or Snatch.

CONTAINS SPOILERS The thing that has to be remembered is that this film clearly wasn't intended to be serious - We Brits just can't seem to help being cynical in our films.I think what many people have trouble with is the varying change of style - Sometimes its serious (like the ending) and sometimes its a comedy (the dressing up in bridesmaids dresses etc) and this can lead to confusion over how to receive the film.The best aspect is the cast - Ray Winstone (deserves proper stardom), Rhys Ifans (One to watch), Jude Law (you already know him), Jonny Lee Miller (another one to watch), Kathy Burke (seriously underrated actress), Sean Pertwee (vastly improved actor).Overall I liked it for its funny moments. If you decide to buy it yourselves, don't expect a serious Oscar-winning gangster film but rather a cynical view of British crime.