Review of The Fruit Machine (1988) by Colin F — 09 Apr 2008
This is my all-time favourite movie; it's British and I can relate to it on five different levels.
Not an easy film to find nowadays, but if you DO come across it, don't ignore it.
Two Liverpudlian boys, each with his own problems witness a murder and go on the run from the hit-man. They tag along with an ageing Opera singer who takes them to Brighton.
As payment for this deed the opera singer takes the body of Michael who when in Liverpool was "on the rent" and innocent and homely Eddie discovers a performing dolphin in "Wonderland" (otherwise known as the Brighton Sea Life Centre) who he wants to rescue and set free.
In the midst of all this mundane activity, the killer suddenly turns up, having traced the pair to the South Coast.
Robbie Coltrane is brilliant as Annabel; an incredibly unusual role for him but realised beautifully. The commercial soundtrack is wonderful, and there are some surreal dream sequences that make perfect sense by the end of the film.
Be warned, you cannot fail but to be deeply moved by the end and you will need a huge box of Kleenex tissues. I have seen this film more times than I would freely admit and have cried floods of tears EVERY time.
This review of The Fruit Machine (1988) was written by Colin F on 09 Apr 2008.
The Fruit Machine has generally received positive reviews.
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