Black comedies about murder are a hard thing to pull off successfully - I guess like a murder itself. Mark Addy and Charlie Creed-Miles play a dim double act of the world's worst assassins. Skint and without a clue, bullsh*t artist Frank (Addy) gets hired by his new friend Kenny (Creed-Miles) to avenge his brother who was given brain damage by a London thug a few years earlier. Witless yet funny dialogue just about sees this comedy through but ultimately it's all a bit lacklustre like the characters. In fact, it's too effective and convincing because the film farts about without a clue, just like the characters. A mixed bag.
This is the sort of film the BBC and Film Council love funding, and which critics adore. It ticks all the boxes: Northern (well, Leicester) setting with local accents, TICK. Working class poverty porn and misery moping (and work men's clubs!) TICK.. Disabled issues TICK.
All very stagey too and old-fashioned - but based on a stage play so no wonder.
One problem is that the main character is repulsive so hard to warm to. And why is it, that men who live with their mums (care for them maybe) are ALWAYS mocked in dramas when women who do the same are not? Sexist misandry and hypocrisy!
Another problem is I couldn't suspend my disbelief - I just didn't believe the characters would behave in the way they did.
But on the plus side, some great dialogue and genuinely funny lines.
This is the sort of film that should be a BBC2 drama. I can't see how this made its money back at the cinema. But hey, no worries - as it's all funded by the tax payer!
2 stars.