An unusual movie this one: a socially dysfunctional hit-man called Charles (Brian Levine) decides to retire to Cannes and has best laid plans train-wrecked by the other Brits out in the sun. Levine plays straight-man to very funny Essex-girl Lisa (Celia Muir) and we're not sure to begin with what Charles is paying her for (it's a great early scene ). Charles likes her but doesn't know she's got a nasty mo-hawked tattooed squeeze from Liverpool (played by Denny - Darren Bransford). They try to scam Charles by renting out his Cannes house to French families and pocketing the proceeds. Charles has all of his savings stolen by a couple of con-men (Lee Cheney and James Privett) who are like a Cockney double-act and don't realize Charles is going to hunt them down to get back his money. Charles's big error is to let his younger rival Clancy (played by Kate Loustau) know he's retiring which makes Clancy come out to France to look for Charles and his money.
It says on the DVD that it's like Lock Stock or Tarantino but it's actually not really like them that much although there are shades of Tarantino in the cool funky soundtrack (Adam Langston): Maybe there's something a bit Coen brothers about it. What it is is budget black and white and truly original. It's also very funny - like one of the reviews says 'it makes you laugh your ass off.' Levine and McManus put together a nice script which only wobbles as everything unwinds, but the final twists are cool and surprising. There's one massive flashback scene which contains as much death and destruction as some action movies plus anyone with a cat or a hatred of profanity better think twice about watching this.
So Kris McManus has directed, shot and edited a smart, nicely-set-up rampage through a lovely part of the world with an unknown cast who do a smooth job.
It's real Brit wit. And the black and white doesn't hurt either.
