Gary Oldman writes and directs this gritty drama, based in part on his own experience of growing up in London with an alcoholic father. In South London, petty criminal Ray (Ray Winstone) is violent and abusive towards his wife, Valerie (Kathy Burke). After carrying out a scam with Valerie's heroin-addicted brother, Billy (Charlie Creed-Miles), Ray beats him up, convinced that Billy has ripped him off. Valerie confesses to her friends that she would like to leave Ray, but feels that she can't as she has one child already and another on the way.