One Last Deal review: Danny Dyer proves engaging in intense one hander | Films | Entertainment

If you are not a fan of former EastEnders star Danny Dyer, the fact that he carries this whole film will probably be a bit unappealing. While there is no doubting the 48-year-old star’s acting abilities, it is a big ask for any performer to fly solo for 90 minutes on screen. Dyer rises to the occasion playing wheeling and dealing football agent Jimmy Banks, a fast-talking cockney character of the ilk we have seen him portray so many times before.

Jimmy is bouncing between phone calls, negotiating a new contract for his star client – actually, his only client. The only catch is said client is currently awaiting the jury’s verdict in his rape trial. No matter, Jimmy won’t let a little thing like that see his value decrease, and maniacally manipulates and bullies the interested club to get the best deal, insisting the famed footballer, who is dominating the day’s news, is innocent.

His brash, fast-talking manner is a natural high rather than a byproduct of substances, as he is recently out of rehab. He is buzzing to rebuild his life after his reputation took a hit due to these struggles.

His penance includes re-establishing a relationship with his daughter, no matter that he pulled a fast one during his divorce from her mother, hiding huge amounts of cash and leaving her with a money pit of a house he can’t afford.

Life is good as he sets his sights on signing another young prodigy, despite the fact that the burgeoning talent doesn’t want to leave his current club. Technicalities don’t bother him as he keeps his eye firmly on the bottom line – his own bank balance.

However, with just one phone call, it all implodes as it transpires there are some very incriminating recordings of his client in the possession of a blackmailer.

These recordings also implicate Jimmy and his lawyer, as it turns out, there is a reason he is so sure his player will be found not guilty. His sobriety and sanity fall by the wayside as he desperately races against time to stop his fragile house of cards from collapsing.

One-hander films are notoriously difficult to pull off. For every All Is Lost (2013) there is a Secret Honor (1984). Dyer acquits himself well with nothing to play against except the voices on the other end of the phone.

The plot is incredibly predictable, with heavy telegraphing throughout. The audience is five steps ahead of Jimmy for most of this movie as he tries to figure out why he is being targeted.

Despite this, it remains an engaging and intense watch and doesn’t outstay its welcome with an acceptable 90-minute running time. While the contract negotiations and banter may go over the heads of even those with a working knowledge of the “beautiful game”, the underlying story will keep you hooked nonetheless.

One Last Deal is in cinemas now.