Director: Sean Foley
Starring: Julian Barrett, Simon Farnaby, Essie Davis, Andrea Riseborough, Steve Coogan, Richard McCabe, Russell Tovey, Kenneth Branagh, Simon Callow, Harriet Walter, Jessica Barden, Tony Way.
I got to see this at a screen unseen showing and I was sadly disappointed. I think one purpose of these showings is to hopefully drum up interest for when the film is finally released, this being a week later. Possibly to help create hype, giving the film a buzz. However, that can work against the film should the viewers, like myself, feel rather underwhelmed or not impressed.
I'm not familiar with The Mighty Boosh, which seems to be either shock and or disappoint my fellow bloggers. Maybe if I was, I might appreciate the comedy here, as Boosh writers/stars Barrett and Farnaby do the same with this. Write and star in their comedy film. Maybe I need to watch their other material, it just isn't my sense of humour.
Our unlikely protagonist is an aging, forgotten TV detective that had apparent stardom during the eighties and appears to have been left there due to the star's egotistical, charismatic shell. He's clearly in denial and refuses to accept that his bygone era has been forgotten. However, he's given an opportunity to use his unbelievable acting talent, or lack of, to help authorities to catch a delusional serial killer. A killer who grew up on his shows and believes him to be the real thing.
I remember when the creators and stars of the British hit TV comedy, Operation Good Guys, Dominic Anciano and Ray Burdis wrote, directed and starred in there feature-length and star-studded parody of London gangland, Love, Honour and Obey. At the time of release, I found that Hilarious, but on a recent rewatch, didn't find it as funny. Though, it is funnier than this.
I'm not sure whether it's the humour itself. I found little parts quite funny and one lady in the audience laughed hysterically throughout (I'm currently suspicious it's a fellow film blogger who shall remain nameless and she denies any such behaviour during the screening.)
I hate to say it, but if this was an American film, set in Hawaii with maybe Jim Carrey in the lead as a mock clone of Magnum, P.I. I can see that working and being very amusing. But this? It's just another Johnny English. The idea is funny, but the final film just doesn't do anything apart from look silly. Of course, this is very much a matter of taste in humour, so what I don't find funny, not might, but will make other viewers laugh out loud. For me, it sits right next to films like last year's Absolutely Fabulous and PopStar: Never Stop Never Stopping.
Running Time: 6
The Cast: 5
Performance: 5
Direction: 5
Story: 6
Script: 5
Creativity: 6
Soundtrack: 4
Job Description: 1
The Extra Bonus Point: 0
Would I buy the Blu-ray?: Nope.
43% 4/10
