Bunny and the Bull

This film is definitely not for everyone, a real love it or hate it. It is a little surreal but at its heart, its a nice little story of friendship.In short, an agoraphobic man tries to work up the courage to leave his house. Much of the film is his memories of a road trip he took with his best friend. I guess bunny and the bull can be categorised as a comedy, but the humour is mild and a little dark. For me the unique element to this film is the quirky cinematography separating memories from reality. The final five minuets of this film are well worth waiting for. This movie is without doubt a one off and very British. There is no guarantee you will enjoy this film......but watch it anyway! (Its only 100 mins of your life)

Beautiful is the first word that comes to mind for me. Story telling in this movie is so well done, you can watch it several times and find nothing but confirmation. Shifts away from reality (through different kinds of animation) are used to ease in and out of the memories of an agoraphobe, reliving the story of what made him a shut-in; also signifying a reluctance to relive said story. The hand crafted animations and interesting characters in this well written story of the travels of two best friends add to the overall feeling of watching a well presented story unfold from the comforts of your couch (and your safe home) Love to detail, a really pleasant tempo and good actors weave a really well done picture.

Probably one of the most anticipated movies of the year for me. The trailer really didn't do the movie justice. The story is essentially an adventure/drama (with a few comedy touches) but there's no denying that it's marginally darker than pretty much anything from the Mighty Boosh (if that's what you're expecting). The movie's visuals have pretty much been mentioned in every review, and they're are a very important part of the movie: fantastical, naive, fairytale-like, psychedelic. The movie never really lapses into reality for longer than a few minutes, which really plays into King's style of directing. The lead characters are really charming and believable, but the writing, especially the dialog was really lacking. It's almost impossible not to compare King's writing to Barrat/Fielding's because of the nature of the film and many characters being played by the cast of the show and it really doesn't compare in my opinion. However it's still a really touching and enjoyable film that has some of the most inventive visuals I have ever seen.

This 'surreal' comedy plays much like an extended episode of The Mighty Boosh, however, it is far more endearing than this. The story focuses on friends Stephen (Edward Hogg) and Bunny (Simon Farnaby). Stephen is a shut-in who hoards everyday items and mementos in boxes stacked around the house. The two characters go on an imaginary road trip, which is fantasised through memories of past events. This faux-adventure takes them to Spain, where Bunny learns how to be a matador. This is after they meet Spanish seafood restaurant waitress Eloisa (Veronica Echegui), who has quit her job and decided to make the journey back to Spain. After acquiring a vehicle in a crab eating contest, Stephen and Bunny catch up with Eloisa and make that journey happen.

The connection between this and the BBC show The Mighty Boosh, is obvious, as the films writer/director Paul King is involved in directing the shows episodes. The inclusion of Noel Fielding and Julien Barract in small (but highly hilarious) parts heightens this further.

The visual style of the film is reminiscent of the work of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Michel Gondry. King uses the fantasy elements of the journey to create a backdrop of animations made from cardboard and layered paper. In an opening sequence we she Stephen and Bunny making bets in a bookies that looks like a set lifted from an episode of Paddington from the 1970s: that is, two dimensional pencil sketched surroundings.

There is much to like here, the performances of the two main characters are excellent, especially Simon Farnaby, who dresses like a 1970s binman. But for me the stand out character, and giver of the best laughs is Julien Barrats Polish Tramp. In a scene under a motorway flyover, Atilla offers Stephen some milk. "It's dog milk". This is offered in a bottle, but Atilla drinks directly from the dogs teet. Stephen gets a hard-on from the dog, Atilla replies "You want f**k my wife?"

In the closing sequences we get a beautiful Jeunetesque payoff, beauty becomes rhythm. Without words, the visuals play. The mechanical bull becomes the person. Metal to skin, skin to muscle, but death is ultimate when fantasy is mistaken for reality. Well, that's what I wrote in my notes. I'd had a few drinks whilst I watched it. In conclusion, a beautifully crafted film visually, with many laugh-out-loud moments, and some endearing characters.

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Bunny and the Bull is a really good debut for writer & director Paul King whilst offering early proof of how rewarding his collaborations with Simon Farnaby can be. It's a debut in every sense of the word because the collision of ideas here don't entirely coalesce but the sheer inventiveness of what it's doing never runs out and also powers through most of the flaws. The style outweighs the substance and it's funny and stylish enough to compensate.

Edward Hogg brings a believability to his character's awkwardness which makes him a likeable protagonist and naturally enhances the situational comedy. Simon Farnaby is a lot more confident and self obsessed so he pairs well with Hogg. There's undoubtedly some fun to be had seeing someone who's synonymous with the kid friendly Horrible Histories be truly let off the leash in a much more adult film that gives him the opportunity to swear, be raunchy and even bare all.

Paul King's direction has an endless supply of whimsy working with the low budget. Every new location is a delight as they come up with really fun ways to showcase different countries without ever leaving the UK, utilising everyday items in the best ways. Even though the content is more adult, it's still clear this is the creative team who'd go on to make Paddington, especially in the ending that really goes for the emotion and acts as a noble first attempt of something they'd only get better at.