在著名的《韦氏词典》中，“英国佬”的定义之一是“英国水手”。在斯蒂芬索德伯格的这本小说中，我们的主人公曾经是一名水手。倔强的英国人来到洛杉矶，为心爱的女儿报仇。所以这部电影被称为“英国佬”，意思是威尔森，一个因为愤怒和雪恨而在洛杉矶迷失自我的人。ShortlyafterrubbingelbowswithmainstreamtastewiththeslickcriminaladventureOUTOFSIGHT(1998)andbeforehittingthejackpotwithhisone-twopunchin2000,ERINBROCKOVICHandTRAFFIC,StevenSoderberghknocksoutalittlegemcalledTHELIMEY,starringasternTerenceStampasthetitularloner,Wilson,aBritishhardenedcriminalfreshlyoutofthejoint,wholendshisfeetinLosAngelosandbeatsthebushesaboutthesuddendeathofhisdaughterJenny(George),presumablyperishedinacaraccident,butafather,evenanabsentone,knowsbetter.AftergettingpallywithJenny