Three Businessmen

Alex Cox says this picture isn't "Repo Man," and he's right. It's a neatly constructed and unashamedly intelligent little masterpiece that transports his career to a new plateau of excellence and maturity. Unpretentious and uncompromising, it's sure to be an instant classic.

Didn't really know what to expect from 3 Businessmen, but it's a typical bizarre Alex Cox-style story. Very enjoyable, particularly the silent punchline. Go see it!!

Alex Cox is one of Britain's best kept secrets, and this is one of his best movies. In fact I'd probably say it ties with 'Repo Man' as his most consistent and entertaining. 'Three Businessmen' is an absurdist fable that shares some of 'Repo Man's surreal humour. As Cox's production company hints Bunuel is a good reference point, as are the odd stories of Flann O'Brien, Kobo Abe or John Sladek.

The idea is simple - two businessmen, one American, played by Cox regular Miguel Sandoval ('Get Shorty', 'Blow'), and one Englishman (Cox himself) meet in the deserted dining room of an expensive hotel in Liverpool. They chat while waiting for service, and when it looks like that isn't forthcoming, they go on a quest for food. Finding the kitchen deserted, and likewise the rest of the hotel, they venture outside to look for somewhere to eat. And so their "adventure" begins.

They walk, talk, agree, disagree, irritate and bond with each other while never quite getting the meal they desire. Things never go to plan, they get sidetracked, misled, confused, and go up various dead ends and strange situations. While still thinking they remain in Liverpool they end up traveling around the world. A plot description doesn't do this movie justice, the real story is in the telling.

'Three Businessmen' (and yes, there is a third one, eventually) is a wonderfully inventive movie that held me until its unexpected twist ending. It's a real gem, and my admiration for Alex Cox grows with every movie of his I see. He is a true original and we need more film makers like him!

After Walker and Straight To Hell were mercilessly savaged by film critics in 1987, the creator of Repo Man and Sid & Nancy seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth, at least to Americans. Fortunately for all of us, Alex Cox did continue to make movies, even if they were basically unseen on this side of the Atlantic.

And, just as fortunately, those movies continued to be as creative as the films that made him famous. Three Businessmen is a charming, thoroughly original movie about two men who meet in a hotel dining room. They talk awhile, but when service appears not to be forthcoming, they set out into the streets of Liverpool in search of dinner. And they talk. And that's about it.

Out of this slim premise, Cox and Tod Davies have fashioned a brilliant and memorable film. It never fails to capture your interest -- either intellectually or visually -- and as soon as it was over, I wanted to watch it again (not unlike my reaction when I first saw Repo Man, oh these many years ago).

This is definitely one to check out if you want something a little "off the beaten track" but not too self-consciously artsy.

A dialogue heavy film that rarely switches pace is perfect for late night viewing when something more kinetic seems inappropriate. It's never less than interesting and well played by the leads and occasionally reminded my of Lost in Translation, with it's meandering scenes of isolation and mutual foreboding.

Tod Davies has created here something very similar to Richar Linklater's Before Sunset. I'm dropping names here because it seems this film has seen a very limited audience so anyone not sure of seeing it, if you enjoyed the ones I've mentioned above, you'll like this.

The humour is delicate and fleeting and usually works pretty well but luckily there's much more to enjoy here than a few laughs. It's a peculiar little film following two men in 'Liverpool' searching for a place to eat and seemingly never achieving their aim. I suppose it has to be seen. Recommended certainly.