Review of Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002) by Joe M — 24 Oct 2008
N the past few year the british film industry has mostly stuck to certain genres; The fluffy middle class comedy and the it's grim/up north/in wales/ being poor etc.
There are rare excpetions to this rule, however and this is one of them. An almost fluffy, but grim enough to seem real, 'up north' comedy, much in the vien of The Full Monty. The cast of the usual suspects do well and show that they're much more than than TV sitcom and the 'best supporting actor' roles they're confined to in bigger ( read- American) pictures. Robert Carlyle (the only 'Big' actor) is relegated to suportting cast and, about time too, actually uses a scottish accent!!!
The wide camera angles and extensive use of crane and exterior shots give this fill an unexpected openess, and in many ways it is a modern version of the western, the bad guy storms into town, fights the local good guy for the girl and the good guy throws his heart to the mercy of the girl. A kwik-fit and miners clubs western if you like.
Well worth seeing and much better than your average run of the mill comedy. Watch out for a 'blink and you'll miss it' completely unrecognisable Reeves and Mortimer.
This review of Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002) was written by Joe M on 24 Oct 2008.
Once Upon a Time in the Midlands has generally received mixed reviews.
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