The Last Yellow

They don't make 'em like that anymore! The old ones are still the best ones. Following the Carry On model where low budget is the natural home of traditional Brit humour The Last Yellow blends a fine ensemble cast of believable actors in a far fetched plot. I applaud the use of vernacular working class natural dialogue, sentimental twists and touches here and there, and a strong central performance by Mark Addy. Kenneth Cranham makes an appearance as a cantankerous bitter grandad while Charles Creed-Miles gives a delightful sensitive foil to Addy's bravado.

The story maybe a bit stretched and slender but the editing is smooth and well paced. In particular the trip to London and sightseeing scenes are extremely well done. The musical numbers are well chosen and Engelbert Humperdinck's vocals add a deliciously ironic background to Addy's acting.

Highly enjoyable and entertaining.

I think it's funny that the director claims the press ruined this movie, because the point where I gave up on it was roughly the point where I noticed that the supposed northern locations have London Evening Standard signs scattered about the place... I'm guessing that "KAM2" below was part of the production crew or was paid to write the review because I really can't imagine *any* other reason someone would claim that this deserves ten stars. It's hard to single out exactly what makes this such a miserable slab of offal, but if I had to plump for one thing, it's the 'big red London bus' montage where Addy and Creed-Miles ride around central London on an open-top tourist bus. It's almost as if the producers felt they needed a bit in the middle they could hack stuff out of or pad out as needed without affecting the actual plot in any way.

My First ever review on this site so i thought i'd take it easy and pick an independent film.

I personally thought this film was awful the storyline execution was poor. The ending left you with an unfulfilled feeling. pure disappointment especially considering the narrative drive of the story was to get revenge for a brutal attack on someone that left them physically disabled.

the unsatisfying ending made the whole film seem a pointless waste of time with a few low end laughs here and there. i didn't want a typical Hollywood ending with the good guys winning but i did want an ending.

The whole film is basically a fully grown man who lives with his mum gets kicked out meets some weedy guy and they go to London zoo if this is your idea of the best conceivable plot line for a film then it's a must watch but for anyone with the slightest sense of taste should steer clear of this.

all in acceptable story line, poorly executed, poor dialogue with repetition of one world being the only defining feature of the main protagonist, poor acting and shafted at the final hurdle.

Paul Tucker's debut into film (from theatre) was a delight to watch. The movie had me laughing (and cringing) from the outset, with Mark Addy's character (Frank) trying to get attention from other drinkers in a Working Man's Club. You quickly get an idea of Frank's lonely character from this scene. The double-edged humour continues throughout the film, often making the audience laugh out loud, although I found myself tearful during a poignant black and white 'flash-back' looking back on Kenny's (Charlie Creed Miles) childhood. Frank and Kenny form an unusual friendship which comes close to breaking point when Jackie (Samantha Morton) comes into the frame. Jackie is a hard-nosed Londoner who uses her feminine charms to try and foil Frank and Kenny's plans of revenge on her boyfriend, Donut. The Last Yellow is a great Brit hit, I recommend you all see it. The movie also has a great soundtrack! Due for release on Friday 10 December 1999.

To many viewers this film will have little resonance. But it taps into a now little known, and increasingly forgotten, side of English life of the 1980s and 1990s. Back then there was mass unemployment and loads of "spare" blokes without much purpose. I knew this world well, lived it, and so did many of my mates mooching between pub, bookies and high street or just sitting on a bench somewhere having a laugh, making a few quid last for hours. This film made me laugh out loud, especially the hapless pizza moped bloke, I'm ashamed to admit. "On Her Majesty's social security" a wonderful play on the 007 franchise and true to the Walter Mitty-esque world of the main protagonist. Great soundtrack as well, "just the two of us" :-)