The opening to this film comes across as a gangster, bank robbery or heist film. This is because the opening shot is a close up of a lot of bank of england notes wrapped in bands, there is also a hand in the shot which is covered in sovereign rings which indicates to the audience that there has been a robbery or deal being made involving gangsters. The next shot is a point of view in a car, driving round the streets of London, there is non diegetic music in the background which then transitions into diegetic music coming from the car stereo. There is a crucifix hanging from the rear view mirror inside the car, which slyly hints to the audience there could
possibly be an element of religion.
As the car pulls up to a set of lights, soapy water is thrown on the window screen of the car making it difficult for anyone inside to see out. the window is smashed and a female reaches into the car and pulls out a briefcase. the woman runs off, as a gun is pointed at her male companion, we can tell the two are close because the man is quite protective over her and wants her to be safe. As she enters the tube station she hears an exaggerated gunshot, and freezes.
There is then a medium shot of the corridor which is brightly lit towards the end, and has a hint of blue lighting on the left hand side of the frame - this could be done to symbolise light at the end of the tunnel. We then see the male protagonist, we now know as michael, running down the stairs and the element of tension is broken as we realise he is in fact not dead.
The couple brake the rules by going down a 'secret' passage way that the public aren't authorised to use, they end up on a deserted platform which is darkly lit. On the platform the woman encourages michael to open the briefcase. We notice that she is very touchy feely about michael and come to the conclusion that they are partners in a relationship as well as in crime. As the briefcase is forced open, it explodes and releases dust, which is lit by a red light. At first this makes the viewer feel like something bad could possibly happen, and symbolising blood money as the money had been stolen.
After the money had been randomly distributed by the explosion, Michael says that the couple cannot spend the money - at this point you get the sense that they only do acts as such for the thrill and not the money. Unexpectedly, the couple become quite sexually aroused by the crime they just committed and begin to passionately kiss each other etc. To their surprise a train pulls up on the platform, however, the train was much quieter than usual and appeared almost as a ghost train.
When the couple stepped on to the train, we as the audience realise that there are people on the train asking for forgiveness , and a man preaching to the commuters. As more appears in the frame it is noticeable that there is a young boy washing peoples feet, this is a reference to the bible where Jesus washes the feet of pilgrims, and their sins away.
At the next stop a group of drunk men get on to the carriage, and begin to mess about. On of the men kicks the young boy in the face, by accident, as the boy bleeds; Michael goes to help him, but his partner holds him back. At this point the preacher begins to sing a gospel song that includes the words 'steal away' this is where we recognise the link between the name of the film and the narrative.
Michael, who recognises this is his time to get rid of all his bad deeds, decides to turn the tables and allows the young boy to rest whilst he washes his feet. The light flickers on the carriage - but it seems only michael can see the flickering light - this could possibly resemble the transition from good to bad, or forgiveness.
The train comes to a hault, and the two protagonists are dry as if a miracle had occurred. They both get off the train and give the money they had just stolen to a crazy homeless man, sleeping on the platform. As they reach the barriers at the top of the station, Michael goes through with ease as his partners ticket seems to be invalid. We, as an audience soon realise that this progress symbolises Judgement Day - purgatory, heaven and hell. Michael, who has gone to heaven is reunited with his mother, who he had previously lost (but we didn't know about that, because its kind of irrelevant)
The last shot we see is of a crime scene, or accident scene in London where it is clear to see that Michael is, in fact, dead. The woman walks away, and is in a way saved by Michaels' death.
