Review of Dough (2015) by Alan W — 23 May 2017

Saw a working cut back in June 2014 and this was my review back then...

If you read the synopsis of this on imdb, you will have a fair idea of how the whole film unfolds. No surprises for the demographics this is squarely aimed at then: Jewish; weed comedy connoisseurs; undemanding Britcom watchers. The next question is whether the script feels convincing or real enough and if not, whether the acting is charming enough to make you forget (and forgive) its flaws. Sadly, after a promising and steady start, the film unravels soon around the mid-way point and contrivances mount on top of contrivances. Pyrce and Collins are good and watchable ? proving the experienced luvvies? worth. But it is a broad film: not really a comedy nor as dramatic as it wants to be. The subject matters (East End regeneration; drug trafficking with toothless and unthreatening gangstars; family business drama; gerrys on weed having a laugh?) feel familiar and while the Jewish/Muslim dynamic does give it a little oomph, it is not enough to carry the film through. A pretty typical Britcom then: harmless but a bit all over the place ultimately.