Despite having a title that could be accused of being a subliminal marketing ploy for the food and drinks industry, Perrier’s Bounty is far from being a refreshing taste of paradise. It may be calorie free, but still manages to throw its dramatic weight around a fair old bit.

As everyone knows, borrowing money is a mug’s game, mainly due to the fact that you eventually have to pay back whatever you borrowed. Naturally the biggest criminals to borrow from are banks, and just below them is a slightly more violent criminal element that Michael (Cillian Murphy) finds himself getting into hot water with.

OK, I admit it, that was a shit barbecue. Still, we can go to the pub now can't we?

Two goons remind him he has a debt to pay, and if he misses the deadline, his broken promise to pay it back will end in broken bones – his. The problem is, Michael doesn’t have it. It gets worse. The goons work for nasty gang leader Darren Perrier (Brendan Gleeson); he thinks he’s a bit of a softie, but the truth is he’s more of a hard nut.

To try and get himself out of his monetary mess, Michael helps out another couple of thieves on a house robbery, that ends up turning into a case of blackmail. What Michael doesn’t know is that the two guys he does the job with are also in league with Perrier.

And just when things can’t getting any worse, they do; Michael’s neighbour Brenda (Jodie Whittaker) – who’s feeling suicidal from boyfriend trouble – shoots one of the goons dead, when they return to pick up their cash.

Perrier isn’t happy with this news, so puts a hefty bounty on Michael’s head. Knowing this, Michael does what any man in his situation would do and legs it, with Brenda in tow. His dad Jim (Jim Broadbent) also finds himself involved, despite struggling with his own problem; he has a vision that the next time he closes his eyes, he’s going to die.

The three of them soon find themselves on the run, but Perrier isn’t one for giving up easily.

Coming as this does from the writer of 2003’s Intermission, writer Mark O’Rowe once again explores themes of life, love and violence the Irish way. Despite feeling like an inferior Irish version of Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, it’s not without its charm.

The film is rich with vibrant characters, with the rogues in particular making an enjoyable splash on the screen. And as expected the ever-wonderful Jim Broadbent displays his often hidden comic talent as the wide awake dad. Brendan Gleeson also looks as happy as the proverbial pig, playing boss Perrier with a volatile verve.

The dialogue too is fun and energetic, delivered with deadpan accuracy. Where it falls apart somewhat is in the plot. To begin with, the audience is never made aware of the reason for Michael needing the money in the first place. It’s not a big point, but as it’s the catalyst for the film, it would have been nice to know.

It also feels like it’s being pulled in one too many directions in places; a side plot regarding some dogs is almost wedged in, in order to give the overall story some resolution. The one female character Brenda also appears to be a token gesture, whose main role is to be a somewhat late addition love interest.

Despite a clunky storyline, Perrier’s Bounty manages to get by on virtually charm alone. And although it has some silly moments, they’re balanced out with a surprising amount of gratuitous violence. Perhaps if the characters could have been transported away into another script – preferably a tighter, more coherent affair – the film would be a far better all-round experience.

As it stands, it’s a top heavy, character-driven piece that only just manages to hold your attention for the duration.