Lucky Break DVD > Reviews > Captivating Characters, Engaging Entertainment

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Good

Advantages:	Good cast, excellent characterisation, perfect casting, James Nesbitt's sexy accent !
Disadvantages:	a bit short

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Faced with a few child-free hours on Bank Holiday Monday, we decided to go to the cinema. Arriving a few minutes late for Planet of the Apes, we had a look at the alternative films showing – one of which was Lucky Break.

I had never heard of it, but my other half had, explaining it was a British film directed by Peter Cattaneo (of The Full Monty fame) and starred Cold Feet’s James Nesbitt. It sounded good, so we paid our money and went in. We weren’t disappointed.

It is what I would call a gentle comedy. You won’t be rolling round the aisles in uncontrollable laughter, but you will chuckle, audibly. The thing which I most enjoyed about the film was the characters, all of whom seemed well-rounded, convincingly acted, engaging and interesting.

The film begins with two friends – Jimmy (James Nesbitt) and Rudy (Lennie James) – bungling a bank robbery. We then catch up with them after the court hearing, with Jimmy being sent to the same prison as his former partner in crime. While they are doing time, they work out an escape plan, which capitalises on the prison governor, Graham Mortimer (Christopher Plummer)’s love of musicals. The story is therefore set against the backdrop of the show they rehearse and perform.

It is a Film Four production and feels very “British” with a host of faces you’ll recognise, even if you don’t remember their names. The only ones I had seen acting previously were Timothy Spall (Auf Wiedersehen, Pet onwards!) and Bill Nighy (who played Chris Langham’s brother in Kiss Me Kate), but we kept nudging each other and saying “What’s he been in before?” It’s that kind of film.

I haven’t seen Cold Feet, but James Nesbitt is lovely, with his beautiful lilting Irish accent and a nice mixture of charm and sarcastic wit. He is perfect in the role of Jimmy, but then, I couldn’t fault the casting, everyone seemed perfect for their roles and it all seemed to gel together brilliantly, as if they were a real team.

My one small criticism of Lucky Break is that it seemed shorter than I would have liked. The characters all seemed to work so well together, the film could easily have been thirty minutes longer. In fact, this sort of film would translate well to the small screen too, with a TV series in a similar vein. I certainly left the cinema wanting more of those wonderfully engaging characters.

It was nice to see Christopher Plummer, famous for his stern Captain Von Trapp in the timeless classic The Sound Of Music. He again brings a dignity to the role and complements the others very well.

Being set in a men’s prison, it is not surprising there is a dearth of female characters, but Olivia Williams plays the part of Annabel with natural beauty. Her “do-gooder” role is one of trying to help rehabilitate the prisoners and it is obvious she is there for the romantic interest, but their relationship doesn’t seem too forced or predictable.

Yes, the film reminded me of The Full Monty, but also of An Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down A Mountain (Phew!) … It is very British, it is very much a fine example of an ensemble film, with everyone shining, no matter how small their role. Its main strength is its characters, whom you come to love or hate, but are never indifferent to.

Timothy Spall plays Cliff Gumball, a warm and caring man, unfairly bullied by the evil prison warden, Perry. Spall deserves a mention for the most poignant parts of the film, as well as his gusto in tackling the musical director’s job in the play. The songs and sections of the ‘Nelson’ musical stand up well, apparently written by Stephen Fry who is credited in the final titles.

Talking of which, don’t leave your seat when the film appears to end. Make sure you sit through the titles, which actually tie up the loose ends of the plot. This is an advantage of the film too, as nothing is more frustrating that an ending which doesn’t tell you what happens!

Rated a 12 certificate, it has some swearing and violence, but everything is done very tastefully. Overall, it isn’t another version of The Full Monty, but it is a really good film we both enjoyed and can only praise.