I went into the cinema with my husband knowing very little about the film-just that it was about boxing. I didn't expect to be so drawn into one man's struggle to make good on his past. What a great premiere it was!

From the moment Danny Goode (Mark Hampton) confidently struts out of prison, leaving his belongings behind and proclaiming he won't need them because he's going to make it big, we were hooked. He's picked up by his old friend Jon (Mark Tunstall), the film's most endearing character, and their banter is both funny and warm as Danny takes the wheel for the first time in years. Exhilarated from being behind the wheel for the first time in years, we immediately see Danny as the confident, cocky, charismatic man he is.

Jon catches him up on life outside-his ex-wife Chloe (Sarah Diamond) has moved on, and Danny should reconnect with his son, Ben (Artie Wong). Jon offers Danny a roof over his head-a tiny, rundown Victorian "mouse house"-and helps him pick up the few belongings he has: two bin bags filled with smart suits, leather brogues, and collared shirts, all remnants of his former finance life. Later, Danny finds old photos of Chloe and Ben, sits down in silence, and reflects.

Motivated to make things right, Danny tries to reconnect with his son-naively thinking life can return to how it was. But Chloe, now living with her new partner, questions his promises and warns him not to get Ben's hopes up. Still, Danny assures them he'll make it happen. He begins looking for work, helping out at Jon's boxing gym and contacting old finance colleagues, only to be met with rejection after rejection. A meeting with his former boss ends in further disappointment-he's "unlicensed to trade" because of his past shady dealings.

Despite the setback, Danny persists. Jon jokingly offers him a pot-washing job at his restaurant, which Danny humbly accepts-still dressed in his fine office attire. A small but telling moment comes when his polished leather brogues are soaked as he sprays dishes late into the night, a scene that made the whole cinema cringe with empathy.

Invested? That's just the beginning!

What's so endearing about this film is how real the characters feel. They face genuine problems and have strong convictions-you root for the leads and despise the villains. Danny is cocky but lovable, and Jon is endlessly funny and kind. Together, they make a great team-both as friends and in business.

Without giving too much away, the film is an unexpected delight filled with humour, suspense, action, and drama. If you like boxing, it's a must-watch. Lighthearted in tone but unafraid to tackle serious themes like gambling addiction. Highly recommend!

Congratulations to Mark Hamilton and the cast and crew for creating an incredibly engaging movie outlining such an important issue! I look forward to see what Mark does next!

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The sport genre features the world of sports, capturing the excitement, competition, and personal journeys of athletes, coaches, and teams. The stories cover a wide range of sports and activities, each with its own unique characteristics and themes.

Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in Moneyball (2011)

After serving time for insider trading, disgraced city broker Danny Goode finds there's no way back to his old life. Short of cash and struggling to reconnect with his wife and son, he enters an unlicensed boxing match with a cash prize.

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Mark Hampton and Gary Davidson Jnr in Unlicensed (2025)

Mark Hampton and Jack Newhouse in Unlicensed (2025)

Sarah Diamond and Mark Hampton in Unlicensed (2025)

Mark Hampton and Mark Tunstall in Unlicensed (2025)

Mark Hampton and crew at the world premiere of Unlicensed

Cast members of Unlicensed at the world premiere

Mark Hampton at the world premiere of Unlicensed

Unlicensed

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