Lucky Break

Caught this one on TV a while back and I'm glad I didn't bother to see it in theatrical release.

Though the film has an excellent cast and is as well-made as a basic comedy can be, there is one simple matter that the screenwriter Ronan Bennett seems to have overlooked - there is NO comedy, OK maybe there are one or two laughs here, but that's all.

Apparently based on a book by the superb Stephen Fry, one wonders why the producers didn't approach Mr. Fry to write the screenplay, after all his track record speaks for itself - the man knows how to make people laugh!

The film sold itself as being 'From the Director of The Full Monty' well, I don't know what happened here, but Peter Cattaneo didn't bring any of the skills he seemed to display in TFM.

Don't bother with this one at all, a total waste of time.

The kind of film that does get much of a reaction from you. Some Ok laughs, some ,mildly touching moment and one very sad moment that worked so well thanks to Tim Spall's excellent performance. The acting was very good,the plot was fine, but the script lacked a little sparkle.

Repeat-offender Jimmy (James Nesbitt) finds himself doing time after a botched bank job. When the prison warden (Christopher Plummer), an aspiring playwright, proposes that the prison put on a production of his musical, Jimmy and his fellow inmates plan to use the performance as a diversion while they make a get away. Things get complicated, however, when Jimmy falls for the prison's psychologist, Annabel (Olivia Williams). This entertaining black comedy carries some good acting and a marvelously understated sense of humor. The warden's musical, based on the swashbuckling life of Viscount Horatio Nelson, is about as lavish as an elementary school production, and wonderfully dreadful to boot. Although a bit slow at times, patient viewers will find themselves rewarded.

Lucky break is stupid. In fact, so stupid it's reasonably laughable. But it's also entertaining. Very entertaining. Filled with great comic sketches, as well as heart-touching moments, this film is definitely worth £3.50 and a bag of extra-large popcorn.

Starting off, two men are arrested, and put into jail, which they find very uncomfortable. They want out. So they hatch a ludicrous scheme that just couldn't work...or could it? Some good acting (espcially by Timothy Spall) leads this film well on it's way to the thumbs up. Funny, touching and hugely, hugely enjoyable, Lucky break should be just the antidote to a long, stressful day.

Overall: **** out of ***** (4 out of 5)

....and for one reason only, it didn't do what every single brit com, has done this year, in fact every one since i can remember has done. Whats that you ask? SHOWN EVERY SINGLE FUNNY BIT IN THE TRAILER. ok so the yanks do it a hell of a lot too but we British seem very guilty of it. anyway i've got that off my chest now so i'll continue. I went into this film with fairly low expectations, coz there were few funny bits in the trailer so i figured thats all it has to offer, and i came out with that warmish glow inside, you know that one you get when you've seen a really 'nice' film.Yes this film is nice, its one of those that makes you go awwwww, especially if you stay right to the very end of the credits, and once you have finished laughing James Nesbit's wig you'll realize this. Cattaneo has but together a superb supporting cast especially in Tim Spall and Christopher Plummer who both do superb turns. Go and see this film if you just want to see something you'll come out feeling nice after