Review of Mrs. Brown's Boys D'Movie (2014) by Sean W — 27 Oct 2014

Writing the review for Mrs Brown's Boys D'Movie is turning out to be a surprisingly depressing experience. So in an attempt to delay commenting on the actual movie itself, I thought I'd briefly give my opinions on the series on which it is based. Perhaps it may provide some context as to why this film turned out as dreadful as it did, and how it may have wrecked the entire franchise.

Each episode of Mrs Brown's Boys is thirty straight minutes of relentless stupidity. The fact that it's stupid is not a problem. Stupid and unfunny, that would be a problem. Fortunately, the show is gut-bustingly hilarious, and the tone of the show is very carefully constructed. Its embracing of its studio audience, limited sets, regular fourth-wall moments and inclusion of genuine bloopers add a sense of warmth to it, and it simulates a real theatrical experience. But in the end, it owes almost its entire wealth of success to Brendan O'Carroll's wonderful performance. His physical comedy is top notch; his comic timing is perfect; and he knows exactly how ridiculous the show is and uses it to his advantage (for example, scolding the studio audience in episode one for feeling sorry for the titular character, reminding them: "It's a man in a f--king dress"). With all its madness and idiocy, it really shouldn't work, but it does. It's simply riotous merriment that makes you feel good, says some lovely things about community and family, then allows you to carry on with your day.

You will find that every single aspect that makes the series work is almost entirely absent from D'Movie. From the very beginning, it becomes startlingly clear how much the TV show depended on the support of its studio audience. Without them, the jokes seem mistimed and misplaced, each one falling flat on its face. That theatrical ambience doesn't exist, and the film feels cold from the get-go. But I decided to try and get by this. Mr Bean kinda made it work, so maybe Mrs Brown can too. Unfortunately, she can't. The film cannot establish a coherent and consistent tone. Instead of relishing in its own ridiculousness, the film appears to be trying to take itself seriously, half-heartedly encouraging us to give one iota about its lame, stock, TV-to-cinema cliché of a plot. It's contrived and over-sentimental. (They actually played You Raise Me Up. They actually did.) The use of bloopers is odd in a film of this kind, and even they feel staged. Though O'Carroll's performance (as Brown only, not that Asian impersonation monstrosity) is still quite effective at times, and I admit to quite enjoying The Script's nauseatingly cheerful theme song, the film misses the point of the series entirely.

It seems as though D'Movie has been created for the sole purpose of making money. Frankly, I'm disappointed in O'Carroll. Milking his own creation - a character I thought he cared so zealously about - to make a little bit more cash is something I would never have expected from him. I still question, did he actually think this would work? That his crazy, stupid, hilarious show would benefit from stretching it out to ninety minutes and taking away everything about it that makes it unique? I seriously have no idea. The movie shines a harsh light on the bare bones of Mrs Brown's humour, sans atmosphere and warmth. And it's not a pretty sight. Sadly, the film has done nothing for me other than make me feel slightly embarrassed about liking Mrs Brown in the first place.