Bad Tidings

Modern take on a Christmas classic and the same kind of switch your brain off silly Christmas comedy as Home Alone which the film take heavy inspiration from.

Basic premise is two neighbours Neil (Lee Mack) and Scott (Chris McCausland) are in constant competition with each other until there oneupmenship goes too far and they are left alone to protect everyone's homes over Christmas in a blackout. Problems arise for the duo however when a recently released criminal and her family decide that this street would make the perfect target for their crime spree.

While a bit shorter than I would have liked they pack a whole lot in the 80 minute run time. Lee and Chris make a great comedy duo and I will certainly be adding this to my yearly Christmas watch.

Bad Tidings is a simple TV movie in the time-tested Christmas tradition but a surprisingly charming one at that. The movie is elevated appreciably above mediocrity thanks to the kinetic duo of Lee Mack's animated slapstick performance juxtaposed brilliantly with Chris McCausland's deadpan eccentricity; the two comedians do a great job winding each other up and playing off one another. This isn't too surprising to me, as someone who was already a fan of their work on Would I Lie to You, but the movie does a good job of capturing an essence of their comedic styling that could've easily been missed. This all combined with a solid script that can elicit some genuine laughs and you've got a competent if unambitious and well-tread Christmas movie. The plot isn't amazing but it's functional and brief enough to not overstay its welcome. It starts out strong enough with the predictable but well executed neighborly one-ups-manship which ultimately serves to set-up a rather lackluster derivative of the Home Alone premise; except, instead of being a kid protecting one house from two burglars, it's two grown men protecting a whole neighborhood from four burglars but the action plays out much the way you'd expect. While that's definitely the weakest aspect of the movie, at around an 80 minute runtime, it never drags on and the formula still manages to be endearing enough to have the whole thing feel worth while.

In conclusion: while Bad Tidings certainly doesn't break any new ground, when approached with the right expectations: it's a competently made TV movie, an effective Christmas treat, and a satisfying comedy vehicle for Lee Mack and Chris Causland.

Reading some of the reviews on here, it's as though people are expecting a big budget blockbuster movie.

It's a Sky made-for-TV movie made on a low budget.

It's basically an extended episode of Lee Mack's BBC Sitcom, "Not Going Out". If you enjoy that show and the ridiculously implausible storylines, you'll like this film. Lee plays Neil and the actor who plays his wife is very similar to the actor who plays Lucy in Not Hoing Out.

Lee Mack and Chris McCausland's styles of comedy blend together well. It is all a bit silly, a bit implausible and over the top, but it's a fun romp that you can put on and not have to think about too much. Not everything has to be an epic work of cinema. It's fun. It's an easy watch. It's family-friendly.

It won't be winning an Oscar (or even an NTA) but it's a fun is a fun 1hr20 of mindless humour and perfect for the festive season.

Twenty years ago, movies featuring decking the halls were in vogue.

With monthly gas and electric bills trebling in recent years. You would expect the average family to downsize unless you happened to be filthy rich.

Scott (Chris McCausland) must be a wealthy accountant. He still has his Christmas lights on in the summer. Failing to have them taken down in January. I guess Scott is not going to do it himself as he is blind.

Neighbour Neil (Lee Mack) a home security consultant has had it up to hear with Scott. The Christmas lights irritate him and he thinks that Scott reported his old beaten up car to the council.

At a local neighbourhood meeting both are elected for the Home Watch. When the street lights go out for a few days. The neighbours evacuate and the local crime family the Brennans think it will be easy pickings.

Only for Scott and Neil to stay behind and now having to stop the crooks.

Sky thought they were on to a winner with Chris McCausland storming to victory in Strictly Come Dancing.

The opening part of the movie was feeble. Only picking up when the street gets empty and the Brennans arrive. Even then it just turns into Home Alone lite with a lot of the action taking place in the dark.

As Christmas movies go, I've seen better. But I've also seen a lot worse!!!! Chris McCausland and Lee Mack clearly have great chemistry and deliver some witty (and mostly clean) gags throughout that the whole family can enjoy. I made the mistake of reading other reviews online before watching and clearly entered with extremely low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprise to be honest. This isn't a Christmas classic and I don't think it was ever intended to be one, but if you want to switch off and enjoy some light-hearted Christmas fun then go for it - ignore the wannabe Times movie critics.