The film is narrated by Frankie, a young everyman living in South East London during the Thatcher era of the 1980s specifically 1984, with little hope of ever making anything of himself, yet he dreams of "being somebody" and escaping his lonely, dreary lifestyle.

However, Frankie decides he prefers the excitement, wealth, status, and luxury that Charlie's gang offers, as opposed to his previous unremarkable life in London.

Charlie and Frankie decide to go into business alone, importing cocaine instead of cannabis through drop-offs from Colombian aeroplanes, but this fails to resolve their problems.

Not only do both men become increasingly addicted to the drug itself, but their new smuggling attracts the ire of the local mayor, who had previously been happy to ignore the cannabis trade but warned them not to import cocaine.

The songs featured include: The Business was nominated for "Best Achievement in Production" at the 2005 British Independent Film Award, although it lost to Gypo.

[1] Upon release, The Business received largely positive reviews from lads' mags, which shared a target demographic with the film.

Another top job by the director of The Football Factory"; What's on TV said "A rush of '80s mood, fashion and music and nailbiting climax are the icing on a brilliant crime cake".