Plunkett & Macleane

I had to watch this twice before I could make up my mind about it. The first viewing - 21st century dialog and disco music laid over reasonably authentic looking old world visuals - comes as such a surprise, it forces you to abandon everything that you were expecting. Once you have gotten into the open frame of mind that the movie asks for, it's a riot: action by the bucketload and alternately funny and oddly moving as Plunkett and Macleane's partnership changes from a wary 'marriage of convenience' to true friendship. The acting is excellent all round, and Liv Tyler's luscious Rebecca is fun and interesting in herself. One of my very few disappointments was that the last ten or fifteen minutes seemed to be rushed, giving me a slight feeling of, "Huh? Is it finished?" when the titles rolled. Overall, excellent. Probably gives a more filthy, revolting and accurate impression of the 18th century than any official period drama. 8/10

Jake Scott's bizarre late nineties historical folly was much derided and ignored at the time and despite some elements of it dating quite fiercely it maintains a characterful tenacity that I really took to. The biggest draw is the cast, Lee Miller and Carlyle are a great double act and brimming with post-Trainspotting intensity. The magnificent Ken Stott in fantastically creepy form as the odious General Chance and even Liv Tyler's love interest gets a chunk of things to do. Alan Cumming's glorious Rochester is the absolute core of the film for me. There's a lot of grotty historical detail (mashed in with the Ibiza-tinged soundtrack) and a weirdly large amount of British comedians hiding in the background. A very young Noel Fielding, Matt Lucas and even Armstrong & Miller as strangely anachronistic dandies. There's a lot to like here, the very definition of a cult film.

I didn't think I'd like Plunkett and Macleane that much, but I must say, I was pleasantly suprised with this flick. It had it all adventure, action, thrills, chills and drama. And especially the clever moments of stand-out hilarity which you will be laughing about hours after the flick. Plunkett and Macleane also has some very polished performances, especially from he-who-can-do-no-wrong man Robert Carlyle, Johnny Lee Miller and the stunningly beautiful Liv Tyler.

I guarantee you'll enjoy this movie, it is clever, funny and extremely entertaining.

Rating: 8

Far from being historically naive, Plunkett and Macleane is a very cheeky comedy which uses modern touches to bring humour and vibrance to the story. In one hilarious scene modern music is used to turn a ball into a kind of rave. This picture probably conveys more of the spirit of England at that time than any of the tightly corseted period dramas that we see on our small screens. In those days London would no doubt have been (not much different than today) a hive of grime, guts, violence and sex. The best thing to do is to sit back and enjoy the energy,comedy and damn fine performances in this great little britflick. It's not exactly accurate but then this is not what was intended. Give it a go!

I can tell from reading the other comments that I am in the small minority of people who loved this film. I rented it several times to share with friends and family, and since they are all into renfaires and the like, they seemed to enjoy it. Maybe not as much as I did, but not everyone is me. I found it to be a fun romp into a world that we so often see the high society end of (Dangerous Liasons, etc..), but not too often from the poor man's point of view. Robert Carlyle and Johnny Lee Miller are two of my favorite actors, both since Trainspotting, and I think they will be for some time to come. If you like English humor, then I think you will enjoy this film.