Review of Dom Hemingway (2013) by Imy B — 30 Apr 2014

Written and directed by Richard Shepard (The Matador (2005) and The Hunting Party (2007)) and produced by Jeremy Thomas (The Last Emperor (1987) and Sexy Beast (2000)), this is a pitch black crime-comedy which has some good performances throughout, and there's something undeniably old-school about it, and while it's clear fun was had making it, it comes across a bit off-kilter.

Dom Hemingway (Jude Law) is a larger than life, near psychotic safecracker who spent 12 years in jail, and never grassed anyone up. For serving his time, Dom with his best friend Dickie (Richard E. Grant) head to the South of France to meet crime lord Mr.

Fontaine (Demián Bichir), who has been holding money for Dom from the crime committed 12 years before. However, Dom's aggressive and arrogant attitude alienates Fontaine, and he nearly ends up with nothing, and after a booze-fuelled car accident, Dom begins to reassess his life.

He heads home to London, and tries to make amends with his estranged daughter Evelyn (Emilia Clarke). It's clear that American Shepard loves British gangster films, and he does well with this one, but you do get the impression there was more left out, or that it could have done with a more engaging plot.

Law and Grant make a good double act, but something doesn't ring true, and it's jarring tone is all over the place.