A film which looks slight and a little kitsch despite its strip joints, thugs and poker games, but which packs a punch all the same, through the tension built around the anti-hero and the cinematography which gives a wonderful black and white, light and shade, multi-faceted portrait of Soho. Anthony Newley’s down trodden sarcastic charm suits the title role and surroundings. Some strange parallels with Billy Liar – a trapped individual unable to escape, though this time from rather than to London. Great music, great atmosphere; and yes, the odd bit of English hamminess.