Review of Burke & Hare (2010) by Robert L — 07 Jan 2012

The Scotts have Landis.

I hate films that start with the words "all of this is true", because you know it won't all be true. I doubt the real Burke and Hare were anywhere near as amusing as Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis. Lucky for me Burke and Hare adds to that well known previously stated line with "apart from the bits that aren't". Classic.

I'll start by saying this, comedy films are one of the most difficult genres to review. This is down to one simple fact, what can you say about them? What is there to be said about a film that is supposed to make you laugh, apart from if it will make you laugh or not? That is of course only speaking for MOST comedies, and thankfully Burke and Hare is different from the norm.

Personally, I've always felt like Simon Pegg was a little bit... well... strange. His humour is often too surreal for me to understand, and given total control he seems to disappear into his own little world of magic and bizarre happenings. It's a good thing he didn't write or direct Burke and Hare, as Simon Pegg is a far better front man and actor then he is director or writer.

Simon Pegg isn't the only star on show in Burke and Hare, and while I don't want to spoil too many surprises for the audience I will say this, as long as you know your British actors/comedians, you are in for a treat. There are some great cameos and wonderful performances.

That being said I feel it's worthwhile to draw out that I love watching Michael Smiley (Outpost) work, likewise with David Schofield (Gladiator). It's great to see Jessica Hynes take a role that shows her depth as an actress, Andy Serkis talents never end, and it's wonderful to be shown Tim Curry has still got it.

But is it funny?

Yes and no, Burke and Hare is a comedy with a story behind it. One mixed with fact and fiction to create a comical tale with a deep plot. I think that's what really separates Burke and Hare from most comedies today - it's got a strong moral backbone, it has a point to it and while it makes you laugh, it lets justice prevail. In that respect it is uncompromising.

Maybe that's the best way to describe Burke And Hare, an uncompromising British tragic comedy.

The problem with Burke and Hare is that its strongest asset is also its biggest drawback. Burke and Hare is a very, very British film. It is about OUR history, with OUR cast and has OUR brand of comedy. I shudder to think how the film could be marketed to the American audience, perhaps as some kind of knock about comedy? Much like that of Starsky and Hutch?

A film with more snap then most, and still somehow upbeat, worth the price of admission to see the cast alone.