This film has a very short running time, little more than one hour 20 minutes (including credits) and, more often than not, a brief running time means a mess thrown out there into the big wide world by the producers because it just might recoup some of its cost if they make a good job of the trailer. So I came into this with fairly low expectations - but was relatively happy with what I got.
The storyline grows so convoluted after the first ten minutes that it would take three sides of A4 to describe but, in a nutshell, it's about a blackmail scam that goes fatally wrong. It's the kind of story that could have played straight, but the makers here go for laughs and, while there are only a few moments of laugh-out-load material, there's enough good stuff to keep you entertained - even if only by the whale of a time that everyone seems to be having. Simon Pegg makes a convincing American, while David Schwimmer manages not to be annoying, and Alice Eve looks gorgeous (and also manages a credible US accent).
The film's main stumbling block is that it doesn't know when to stop. The twists and turns to the plot fall over each other in their haste to present themselves so that they begin to grow a little tiresome. The interaction between the main characters is entertaining enough to keep most viewers happy, so perhaps it would be better if the writers had concentrated a little harder on that aspect.
All in all though, if you haven't heard of this one before but you're tempted to rent it, give it a go; it probably won't find its way onto your top ten all time favourites, but it will keep you entertained. Oh yeah, and Mimi Rogers' 'Well I'll be I haven't heard Pink Floyd in years,' line has to be the funniest I've heard in ages.
The storyline grows so convoluted after the first ten minutes that it would take three sides of A4 to describe but, in a nutshell, it's about a blackmail scam that goes fatally wrong. It's the kind of story that could have played straight, but the makers here go for laughs and, while there are only a few moments of laugh-out-load material, there's enough good stuff to keep you entertained - even if only by the whale of a time that everyone seems to be having. Simon Pegg makes a convincing American, while David Schwimmer manages not to be annoying, and Alice Eve looks gorgeous (and also manages a credible US accent).
The film's main stumbling block is that it doesn't know when to stop. The twists and turns to the plot fall over each other in their haste to present themselves so that they begin to grow a little tiresome. The interaction between the main characters is entertaining enough to keep most viewers happy, so perhaps it would be better if the writers had concentrated a little harder on that aspect.
All in all though, if you haven't heard of this one before but you're tempted to rent it, give it a go; it probably won't find its way onto your top ten all time favourites, but it will keep you entertained. Oh yeah, and Mimi Rogers' 'Well I'll be I haven't heard Pink Floyd in years,' line has to be the funniest I've heard in ages.