“The nail that sticks out gets hammered down,” reads the Chinese proverb recited in Gangster-flick ACT OF GRACE; and there is a lot of hammering during Noreen Kershaw’s East-meets-North-West picture. Born into an abusive family, Dezzie, played in adulthood by Leo Gregory, through an act of uncharacteristic heroism finds craved acceptance in the family of childhood friend Yasin (Chike Chan). Yet the Chans do not just run a restaurant, and the character referred to as “Godfather” turns out to be more than just birthday presents and hugs. In fact – Who’d have guessed it? – He’s the kingpin of an organised crime syndicate.

Friendship is interrupted as Yasin and co. are unexpectedly rushed back to Hong Kong. Yet honour runs deep; and after a 10-year prison sentence, Dezzie finds himself once again embroiled in family affairs as well as childhood flame Mui (Jennifer Lim), in a world where there is seemingly no straight and narrow. Yet how far can acceptance of a racial outsider stretch within the ruthless Triads? Not at all according to pantomime villain Squeeze, hammed up to the limit by Daniel York, whose malevolence is revealed to us by a scattering of the family board game after losing. What could be more malignant?!!

At times innovation on an old theme can be thin on the ground; yet for those willing to suspend disbelief there is plenty of emotional content, particularly from the doomed central romance.