The Martins

This portrait of a deadbeat family is much more touching than I expected. Complaints that it crosses "genres" seem to me to be pointless. Its weakness is the plot...its strength is the pairing of Lee Evans and Kathy Burke; I have always that one of the strengths of Evans' loveable-nitwit stand-up routine is the charge of anger which runs through it. In The Martins he gives the anger free rein with scary effect. On the other hand, are we to believe in a man who can tie up two old people and leave them, for all he knows, to die of thirst and hunger in a cellar, yet will not raise a hand to defend himself against his righteously angry wife? It doesn't quite add up. But it's a really enjoyable and moving film with a life-affirming message, brought home most strongly in the wonderful childbirth scene. At least this movie challenges us to think about how little value we attach to people whom we perceive as too poor, stupid or ugly to be noticed.

Having never even heard of this film before, I had no pre-conceived idea of what to expect when I saw it on TV last night. I was pleased to see Kathy Burke on screen again, playing her character with the usual mix of aggression and love.

Having only seen Lee Evans in supporting film roles (Something About Mary, Mousehunt), I was pleasantly surprised to see him tone down his stand-up persona, and give his character real credibility.

Having known many families such as the Martins, I can see this was a realistic portrayal of a family man on the breadline who wants something more for his family. I would certainly recommend this film to others.

i thought that although the film maybe a little too small for the cinema along with births deaths and marriages this is a gem i thought the acting superb by all concerned and the small cameo from ray winstone was hilarious people forget what a good comic actor he is . i remember him in GET BACK the tv sitcom also starring a young kate winslet. i like the way tony grounds mixes pathos and bathos in equal measure. just one thing though, does tony grounds have a thing about schoolteachers it seems to have a reccurring themes in most of his work to summarise i would reccommend this more on video than at the cinema but i am sure it will be on tv soon

I really don't know why so many of you people have slammed this film, because personally I thought it was one of the best British films to come out in the last twelve months, besides Bridget Jones. The story line was really good and if some of you were real movie critics then you would understand the plot. Robert Martin is just like a lot of out of work men living in a run down council estate living on nothing but what the government pays them. Teenage daughter who is pregnant just like a lot of teenage girls around this country and a quiet normal ten yr old boy who gets bullied at school.

Kathy Burke and Lee Evans I thought played their characters really well and I just wish that Tony Grounds makes this film as a T.V Series because I thought it was a classy drama with a slice of humour in it.

I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS FILM TO ANYONE WHO CARES ENOUGH ABOUT WORKING CLASS FAMILIES AND THE STRUGGLES WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH. 9/10.

The Martins is a brilliant little film that although maybe is not as funny as you would hope from a Lee Evans movie is still superb for many other reasons. It is about a man who has been a faliure most of his life but still tries to do the best for his family who he loves very much. Everything he does turns sour , so one day he snaps and does the best for his family whatever the cost maybe. Lee evans and Kathy Burke are fantastic as the parents in this disfunctional family and you feel so much for them. Most people will sympathise with Evans's character even if he does have sex with his neighbour,tie up and steal from an old couple and threaten everyone with a gun!. I thought this was a nice movie that only adds to the growing reputation of the two leading actors .Sit back and enjoy. 8 out of 10.