100 Streets is an undernourished and underwhelming slice of life drama set in London focussing on six characters who only obliquely interact with each other.

Idris Elba plays Max, a former rugby star turned television pundit. His wife Emily (Gemma Arterton) caught him cheating with the babysitter and they have split up. Emily is now seeing someone else but it is Max whose life is unravelling with drugs and booze.

Kingsley (Franz Drameh) is a young drug dealer in the hood, he has been in trouble with the law but finds an avenue to express himself as a street poet when he meets an aged actor.

The most interesting story is of cab driver George (Charlie Creed-Miles) who with his wife Kathy (Kierston Wareing) are hoping to adopt a child but face several knocks including the revelation that George was a hooligan in his youth. The couple strive to pick up the pieces of their live in a positive way.

Elba has the more showy role which includes his rather public meltdown but the whole thing just felt rather depressing and undistinguished.

I can simply state up front that I was not impressed with this depressing dramatic film. I was half expecting the good looking hunky actor Idris Elba who plays a retired soccer star and who is estranged from his wife and two children to meet up with his medical doctor who would then advise Elba to take two sleeping pills and four laxative pills. Now that would at least provide one funny scene would it not?

I am not saying that I want to only watch comedies but from the opening scene right through to the very last scene this film was depressing. These four seperate stories that were indirectly connected each contained misery for one or more of the men and the film just continued to get more depressing as it dragged on.

Mrs. Shullivan left the room after watching the first 45 minutes and did not even bother to ask if it got any better......which it did not, it got worse.

I can only give the film a 5 out of 10 rating and I would not recommend it to anyone.

Netflix suggested I watch this after seeing 'Brighton Rock' and I can see why. The intensity of the characters' demise and their struggle to make sense of what happens makes for compelling viewing.The setting is everything, from the local football club to Battersea Bridge and all streets in between. While the characters don't cross over too much (which might make it a bit of a soap opera) they make subtle references which keeps the viewer guessing. I guess the theme is around disintegration and how we all cope when things seem to deteriorate. A really absorbing film, well worth a watch.