Face is a British action thriller from 1997. Directed by Antonia Bird, it shows us some faces, lower classes' workers who have turned into professional thieves. Think of The Full Monty meets Reservoir Dogs.
Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty, who also did Priest with Antonia Bird) is the most known actor in a truly excellent cast (besides Blur's Damon Albarn). All the characters are full of life and nuances not usually found in American action movies; there's even social stuff in the fine British tradition.
The action is also mean and intense. The opening heist is great, and the last scene is brilliant; starts as a break in and ends in a pumping shoot out. Some scenes reminded me of Heat.
The icing comes in the soundtrack; from the unmissable London Calling by The Clash to electronic beats (Fluke) that give the movie some oomph, and some really enjoyable ballads for the rest.
Anyway, it's just great to see a movie with guns and pubs. Got to see Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, natch.