My Wrongs 8245-8249 and 117

This is the debut film from satirist, surrealist comedian and cult phenomenon Chris Morris, whose fans have levelled criticism at the project as it is a reinterpretation of a story already featured in his dark, late-night sketch show 'Blue Jam'.

As a Morris fan myself, I was somewhat sceptical about the need for a retelling of this tale - a blackly comic piece about a man who is so depressed that he believes his dog is talking to him, and providing some frankly terrible advice.

So I'm happy to report that the film is indeed successful, at least for the most part, and this is largely due to Morris's skill as a filmmaker. The tone is stylish and experimental, and manages to breath new life into the story - Morris has clearly built upon what he started in his last TV series, 'Jam'. And as well as directing the film, Morris has also written the electro-ambient soundtrack, which interplays cleverly with the camerawork to create some neat moments.

However, some of the gags don't translate to the screen particularly well - and this is largely because cinema isn't the best medium to convey the protagonist's reasoning behind his erratic behaviour - described so effectively in the radio version. Therefore, if you plan to watch this film, I'd highly recommend listening to the original Blue Jam monologue on which it is based (included on the DVD now available), which provides some of the detail and il(logic) behind the character's actions.

Maybe next time then, a new story tailor-made for the screen would be more satisfying, but this is still an accomplished debut.

9/10

This is an ingeniously quirky short film. It may be slightly too strange for some viewers - the story and technique (in particular the sound) are barmy - but it cleverly succeeds in arresting the viewer's attention in its short space of time. The film creates a bizarre metaverse experienced from the point of view of Paddy Considine's lead character in which animals talk and think in more logical terms than their human counterparts. Obviously, we believe Paddy is slightly mad, leading to various scenes in which he comically finds it increasingly difficult to relate to the social etiquette he is expected to conform to.

Morris's directorial style makes it hard at times to laugh out loud - he refuses to allow his audience to dwell on "the funny bits" - but think about what you've seen and you'll probably wet yourself. This makes repeat viewings very rewarding, especially with such a sly, wink-wink denouement.

the other comment was done by a complete fool. this short film by Chris Morris, originally from a sketch in his radio series Blue Jam is piece of highly interesting work to those who "get it". Many won't, which is frankly their problem, or more accurately their lack of imagination or intelligence. The film is not really about anything, it is more of modern surrealist painting in movie format. It's an enquiry into the nature of insanity and all relating things. In a way, it shouldn't be treated like you would treat other films, at least from a critical standpoint. You just have to ask yourself how it affected to you. What thoughts it conjured up. You can't compare it to anything or use conventional techniques for review such as the plot, dialogue etc. It simply has nothing in common with those things. If you're willing to open your mind and you have a vivid imagination then this short film will almost certainly be for you. If you think everything has a message, purpose, rightful meaning then you may as well just go to bed and not bother waking up.

A depressed and paranoid man is looking after his girlfriend's house and dog for a weekend. The dog assures the man that he is the man's lawyer and will be representing him in court next week. They go out for a walk where the dog leads him into a fight with duck's in the park and deceives him at a christening.

I'm not a big fan of Chris Morris, but I am always interested enough in his material to give it ago. Sometimes his unique visions of life are funny or just weird enough to be engrossing. Other times they are simply desperate attempts to offend – like a cry for attention or something. Here the sketch (for that is what it is) is an extended version of one taken from Blue Jam. I questioned the value of this film while I was watching it as I wondered why Morris hadn't just remade this as another sketch rather than going for a whole film.

Regardless of this it worked quite well if you like Morris' typically dark view on dark subjects. It isn't very funny, so don't get your hopes up too much in that regard, but it is interestingly compelling. His actual point is lost on me but the telling is interesting. Morris himself provides the voice of the man's lawyer/dog.

Overall this is an interesting way to pass 15 minutes although don't assume it is a laugh riot, for it isn't. Instead it is a comic look at schizophrenia and depression which works simply because you have to keep watching to see where it is going. In terms of a second viewing, I doubt I'd bother.

From Chris Morris, who would later go on to direct the acclaimed comedy on terror 'Four Lions', this short film is...something else. It definitely isn't perfect, but it is so weird and depressing and scary and hilarious that I cannot help but totally embrace everything about it w/great enthusiasm. When I really think about it, this is among the most sad and deranged short films I have seen in quite some time, but it is also one of the funniest, and this mixture of humor, horror, and tragedy is really what makes this a mad masterpiece of surreal pitch-black comedy. It is bleak and sick and so so so so so so dark and I love it!