This offering is another one in tradition of 'Lock, Stock', 'Snatch' and many more. If you haven't seen those movies, to sum it up there is a cast of colourful characters, most of them shady, who go through a chain of unusual situations with liberal use of equally colorful language. It helps if they are from the British Isles, colorful accents adding to the movie. This title is a drug/crime/romantic comedy. It doesn't offer any new material and mostly sits completely in the genre. It is well done with funny jokes, funny situations, a few good, original scenes, a fast moving plot and competent dialogue. It doesn't really stand out but if you like this sort of thing, it is entertaining. The Uncle character reminded me of Brick Top Polford from Snatch. Not as good but similar. Maybe it is becoming a prerequisite for a film in this genre.
4 Reviews
'white' christmas
biffertron9 October 2003
saw this 2 days ago as part of the Leeds Film Festival, introduced by director Shimmy himself.
quality little addition to a rather crowded UK (apologies - know its Irish) genre. The comedy gangster film. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and, like every new director, respect for getting it made in the first place. As the man said himself, it started one Christmas whilst watching the holiday films on offer and foolishly saying 'I could do better than that'. Nine years later we can be the judge of that.
Funny, well written, nice cameo by Huey from Fun Loving Criminals and disturbingly, realistically scuzzy.....
I wasn't the only one in the audience muttering 'stop him, stop him!' when Teabag took what seemed like an endless 'taste' of the goods. recommend anyone wants to support new talent and likes tongue in cheek, jaw grinding plot lines. Give it a go.
Big up Shimmy!
quality little addition to a rather crowded UK (apologies - know its Irish) genre. The comedy gangster film. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and, like every new director, respect for getting it made in the first place. As the man said himself, it started one Christmas whilst watching the holiday films on offer and foolishly saying 'I could do better than that'. Nine years later we can be the judge of that.
Funny, well written, nice cameo by Huey from Fun Loving Criminals and disturbingly, realistically scuzzy.....
I wasn't the only one in the audience muttering 'stop him, stop him!' when Teabag took what seemed like an endless 'taste' of the goods. recommend anyone wants to support new talent and likes tongue in cheek, jaw grinding plot lines. Give it a go.
Big up Shimmy!
Finally an intelligent Irish Movie that knows how to splice genres.
snuffleupucus1 October 2004
Being a Fun Lovin Criminals fan I'd heard about this movie but wasn't sure how I was gonna get to see it.. Finally it arrived here as part of this Irish Film Festival and I cant understand why it's not playin in every cinema around town. To tell you what happens would ruin all the surprising twists and turns, but what I can tell you is you never know whats gonna happen next. And this is why it works so well. It mixes the 'thriller' aspect of a smuggling scam with hilarious 'comedy' elements with a touch of 'love story' and good old fashioned 'gangster drama' to create a melting pot of pure entertainment. Even Huey Morgan (FLC) turns in an amazing performance as do all the cast.. and as for Steven Berkoff.. just don't send him a thong for Christmas!
Wusses and Hard-Asses
guevaradavid14 July 2004
Honoring the tradition of independent movies this is a rather refreshing movie! Though, probably not intended, Dublin's bleak day-to-day existence gets driven home: Boy this is a godforsaken place!
When a looser gets dumped for being a looser, he tries to better his life. But before this gets accomplished he needs to overcome lots of difficulty: hilarious 'opponents', not-so-stupid cops, hard-ass gangsters in drags, an infuriatingly stupid best friend and last but not least world-class hilarious situations.
Though 'Train Spotting' and 'Lock Stock and Two Blazing Barrels' come to mind, this film certainly stands its own right. A must see!!
When a looser gets dumped for being a looser, he tries to better his life. But before this gets accomplished he needs to overcome lots of difficulty: hilarious 'opponents', not-so-stupid cops, hard-ass gangsters in drags, an infuriatingly stupid best friend and last but not least world-class hilarious situations.
Though 'Train Spotting' and 'Lock Stock and Two Blazing Barrels' come to mind, this film certainly stands its own right. A must see!!
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