Review of He Was a Quiet Man (2007) by Steve O — 07 Nov 2008

Unsettling story of a delusional outsider who is about to crack and do a michael douglas (falling down.) We knew slater could act, he just hasn't done anything of note in recent years. Here he is excellent and I salute him for taking on the more offbeat projects.

There are some massive issues within this and the sense of failure, isolation and growing paranoia are claustrophobically developed. The fish in bob's tank get all the best lines and seem to act as a razor-sharp foil to bob's indecisiveness, which is a pretty clever idea (reminded me of the hank alter ego in me,myself & irene) and adds some appropriately timed humor.

Cuthbert & Macy are good too and bob's co-workers are suitably nauseating. A little gem that I found by accident and doesn't seem to have any coverage here in the uk.