Review of Sightseers (2012) by Tibor B — 03 Apr 2013

Sure to be a bit of a cult hit, Ben Wheatley's Sightseers is a violent black comedy that gets most of its laughs from its contrast of very mundane people and settings, campsites and minor Northern tourist attractions, such as the Keswick pencil museum, with a cagoule wearing murderous couple.

It feels rather like it could be a spin-off from something like The League of Gentleman, but without quite the same surreality. The targets of Chris and Tina's snowballing murder spree are nicely caricatured, from an irate rambler, to a littering slob and a promiscuous bride-to-be.

Lowe and Oram, who also scripted the film, are clearly gifted comics, and there's a rather absurd death by knitting needles flashback for Tina's dog. Where the film stumbles most is a real backbone to these characters, especially Chris.

Tina at least has some kind of development from meek and repressed homebody to hedonistic homicide. Chris clearly has anger issues, but just doesn't have the extra bit of depth to weigh up his character.

It results in a film that is entertaining in concept, with several darkly enjoyable moments, but just lacking in a bit more meat on its bones. Not quite Badlands at the National Trust...