The Hot Potato

This film had so so much potential, but the bloody music, especially the starting credit music really dampened everything.

If the soundtrack was more upbeat then yes, this film could of been right up there with LSTSB.

Ray did a grand job, and is a lucky sod too having of had the pleasure of kissing the lovely, Louise I may add.

It was also great being a time warp film and seeing some great old classic cars.

Don't get me wrong, this film has it's flaws, but the story holds up, and keeps you interested. No switching off half way through with this flick.

Overall, good entertainment with a few beers. Buy, rent, enjoy!

In 2011's 1969-based true-tale Brit dramedy "The Hot Potato" two East End London wide-boys, Ray Winstone (married to Louise Redknapp) & Jack Huston, come across a huge chunk of enriched uranium (as you do) that with Huston's gf Lois Winstone (Ray's actual daughter) via mob connection Colm Meaney & 'middle man' Derren Nesbitt (excellent) they look to sell to the highest bidder in Europe. A double crossing twisty caper ensues (also involving the CIA (David Harewood) & minor support from the likes of Stephen Marcus & Phil Davis). Debut writer / director Tim Lewinston does let the pace even out too much beyond halfway, but still, it's jaunty & enjoyable fare.

I thought I might have found a gem when I came across this. Alas it's abysmal.

The 'official' blurb kinda tells the tale, but I would have said it thus: two London Eastend gobshites acquire a lump of 'hot' (meaning a chattel to which they do not have absolutely clear title of ownership) uranium and decide to 'monetize' it, as our yank cousins would put it.

First they approach Colin Meany's character, the local heavy, Harry - a role just made for Colm! - who takes them to 'the twins' - obviously you should read the psycho 'Cray Bros.' here - after which we meet a succession of weird and wonderful con artists, villains, bullies and a really spooky CIA spook.

And all the time the characters' domestic arrangements are moving ahead, complexifying the action and putting additional demands on the characters.

The action is full of novel ideas and twists and turns, yet never inconsistent - the storyline is well served by script and actors. Worthy of remark is the cinematography in so many European city locations, as well as out in the bush.

Overall it's just a fabulous film, the only way to lose interest during this is to die (laughing or otherwise) during the show. As another commentator remarked, it is not full of the foulmouthedness so usual today, and I must also remark that - unlike Hollywood - it did not leave a death toll to compare with Dachau, as most yank 'entertainments' do.

Buy it, rent it, pirate it - just don't miss it!

The trailer for this came up as a YouTube recommendation, have to say I'd never even heard of it, but watched the trailer and was intrigued, so purchased the blu ray.

Well, from start to finish, this was an absolute delight, great storyline, fantastic cast, everyone played their part superbly, great cinematography, well recorded sound wise, just brilliant entertainment.

There were twists aplenty, and there wasn't a dull moment throughout its running time.

How is it we can make great films like this, but they don't seem to catch the publics attention or imagination? I just don't get it, like I say I'd never heard of it, so perhaps it wasn't particularly well publicised?

I note some reviewers say they didn't like the music, I completely disagree apart from the end song which mentioned 1972! Whats that all about? It was great to hear The Carnaby's 'Jump and Dance', in there.

Cannot recommend this highly enough. Watch it!