Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose

Having driven through Dalby on the way to Niarbyl beach (famous from Waking Ned), I've heard the story of the Dalby Spook and it's unproven nature a few times. An island that has a bus announcement when you go over the Fairy Bridge, and many other folklores, a talking mongoose believed to be a spirit by the family of comeovers and a few of the locals. It did seem strange that it's filmed in Yorkshire - Simon Pegg and Minnie Driver sat on a little motor launch getting to the island as though they're crossing Malham Tarn - though the lighting and set design is impeccable, with some of the in house shots having theatre like quality.

The cast is a tight knit group of well known actors. That they have Sir Ben Kingsleys son (yes, I'm sure that's how he wishes to be known), Edmund playing a none speaking part, while many of the critical lines are spoken - but not on screen - by comic book legend Neil Gaiman, is telling of how the story is laid out. It wasn't until the very end that I could see what Nandors intentions where. He starts the film in a tv studio, chain smoking, as he he's asked does he believe in ghosts, and his response is to say what he sees, which isn't what everyone else can see. And yet, when someone asks his assistant what she believes, she says Nandor has taught her to believe in science, what you can prove, etc.

Likewise, you have the Irving family, led by comedy stalwart Tim Downie. At no point do I find him serious. He has literally moved his family to another country, to start farming, encounters a talking mongoose that could well be real, but the way he's acting it could be his wife with a sock puppet and his daughter the ventriloquist. There seems no motivation to fool or know if they're being fooled. Throw in long time Eastenders actor, Gary Beadle whose beliefs are equally unknown, and if you're hoping for a Scooby Doo style adventure, then this isn't for you.

Sometimes the mystery is more entertaining than the solution.