That Sinking Feeling

I love this film, and it is such a shame that anything he did post local hero didn't capture any of this. How many films have a character trying to drown himself in a bowl of cornflakes, a police radio only used for ordering cream buns, a lad pretending to buy a television just to scav a ciggies. Lines like 'multiple social deprivation' actually make you laugh. Kids selling ciggies. A youngster boasting of his o-levels in front of a statue. A car which is not a car. It is funny without being patronising. Watch it, it is shown now and then on Channel five in the daytime.

You know you're in for something a little unusual when, early on, a character starts vehemently lecturing a war-hero's statue about the importance of good exam scores....

This movie succeeds because even at its most absurd, it never loses balance on the fine line between taking itself too seriously and not seriously enough.

This debut film from Scottish film comedian Bill Forsyth is decent non-think entertainment. It has the low-budget charm of a student film, which can be its asset or liability, depending on how you look at it. Really, it's hard to envision this same low-key robbery story filmed in a bigger budget studio style. However, it's flaws are quite evident. It has a very choppy editing style, with each scene encompassing a different joke - similar to Monty Python short sketches. The storyline never really jells together, and unlike Forsyth's more polished later films, there's not much character development to speak of. The script has plenty of sharp one-liners, but few really great shakes.

As a gestation of the kind of stellar comedic talent Forsyth was to become in a few years, this movie is worth taking a look at. I did find myself laughing quite a few times, and am sure you will find some reasons to enjoy this, also.

6 minutes in and one of the lads was talking about his recent and rather lackadaisical suicide attempt involving a spoonful of cornflakes and holding his nose. Brilliant lol! A lot of the dialogue is very quotable and the comedy is pretty damn dark at times. Not every joke and gag lands though and the acting is quite awkward throughout. I enjoyed this film but it has dated CONSIDERABLY and I don't think many outside of Scotland would give it the time of day.

Full of (then) unknown actors TSF is a great big cuddly romp of a film.

The idea of a bunch of bored teenagers ripping off the local sink factory is odd enough, but add in the black humour that Forsyth & Co are so good at and your in for a real treat.

The comatose van driver by itself worth seeing, and the canal side chase is just too real to be anything but funny.

And for anyone who lived in Glasgow it's a great "Oh I know where that is" film.