Shane Meadows's much anticipated new film is a diversion into the world of horror, which also reveals his great gift for storytelling, as a thriller evolves that is both tragic and realistic.

In his last release, Once Upon A Time In The Midlands, a stranger ((Robert Carlyle) rolls up from Glasgow and causes romantic upsets. Here, an older man (Paddy Considine) comes back to his home town in the Midlands with a more sinister aim.

The stranger appears to be antagonistic towards a vicious gang of drug dealers and even though he is one man against many, appears fearless. This might have something to do with the fact that he's been in the army, although seems a modest and kind person to those who are straight with him.

Gradually a story emerges of how this gang began to take the mickey out of the older man's retarded brother, how drinking games led to more unsavoury incidents. A tale of tragedy and revenge, the film uses violence in a measured, graphic way, as Considine attempts to show that playing with his mentally disabled brother in the way that they did, overstepped the mark.

As the odds change in his favour, we begin to understand the true horrors of one fateful day. It shows, somewhat tragically, how even the most intellectual person can be guilty of harm simply through non-action.

In that sense, Dead Man's Shoes is satisfyingly real and well worth seeing for the excellent performances, as well as Meadows's uncanny ability to tell a good story.