London Boulevard

London Boulevard
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	William Monahan
Produced by	Graham King William Monahan Quentin Curtis Timothy Headington Redmond Morris Colin Vaines
Written by	William Monahan
Based on	London Boulevard by Ken Bruen
Starring	Colin Farrell Keira Knightley David Thewlis Anna Friel Ben Chaplin Ray Winstone
Music by	Sergio Pizzorno
Cinematography	Chris Menges
Edited by	Dody Dorn Robb Sullivan
Production company	GK Films Henceforth
Distributed by	Entertainment Film Distributors (UK) IFC Films (US)
Release date	26 November 2010
Running time	103 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	£8 million (US$ 12.3824 million)
Box office	$4,628,033

London Boulevard is a 2010 British-American independent crime noir film released in the United Kingdom on 26 November 2010. It is based on Ken Bruen's 2001 novel of the same name, with screenplay and direction by William Monahan, marking his directorial debut. The cast features Colin Farrell, Keira Knightley and Ray Winstone.

The film opens with Harry Mitchel (Colin Farrell) (convicted of GBH under never-explained circumstances) leaving prison. He is propositioned by his friend and former partner-in-crime, Billy Norton (Ben Chaplin), to live in a nice 'acquired' apartment, but on condition he work for Billy's criminal boss. On his way to a 'welcome back' party, Mitchel saves a woman, Penny (Ophelia Lovibond), from being mugged. At the party, Billy propositions Mitchel again. Mitchel is told by Billy and their contact, Danny (Stephen Graham), that his sister, Briony (Anna Friel) is in the basement, and he "saves" her from being raped by a drug addict. Mitchel meets Penny for a drink elesewhere, and she offers him a job to help her friend, a reclusive famous 'retired' young actress, Charlotte.

Mitchel goes to a train station to visit his friend Joe, a blind homeless Big Issue salesman and gives him a knife to protect himself. The next day, Mitchel meets Charlotte (Keira Knightley) and her friend, Jordan (David Thewlis). Charlotte is constantly hounded by the paparazzi perpetually stationed outside her home, taunting and photographing anyone who enters or leaves. Mitchel is offered the job to 'assist' and Jordan gives him a tour of the mansion, including a collection of paintings that look like Francis Bacon's studies on Velazquez screaming Popes and a garage full of Charlotte's ex-husband Tim's cars. At his apartment, corrupt police Detective Bailey (Eddie Marsan) visits Mitchel and tells him to avoid Billy and forces a small bribe from Mitchel.