The Baker

I finally got to see this movie after trying to track it down for years. My problem was I searched on the film's UK name ("The Baker") and only just learned it was renamed for its US release. A quick search found that Amazon had it for rent, so I downloaded it for a plane ride home.

OK, maybe I had higher expectations after waiting all that time but I can only say this was a good movie and not a great one. It has several "issues" that I won't elaborate on as I still think it's worth watching.

The characters are interesting and the plot moves along, plus it had a lot of moments that made me smile but I will admit I never really laughed outright. It's that kind of film, enjoyable especially for Damian Lewis fans (I've always liked him since "Band of Brothers"). Kate Ashfiel does a good job, it took a little while to recognize her as Liz from "Shaun of the Dead" (she looks better with her short brunette hair) and Steve Speirs is great as Bryn. Several others put in outstanding performances that make it worth watching.

So, while not a "10," it's definitely a strong "8" and worth the time if you like movies of this genre.

I want to make a stand for The British Who Enjoyed This Film. We've watched this a few times with others and everybody has been in stitches, and are spreading the word.

The comic timing and perfect delivery of the dialogue is superb, its simplicity and cadence brilliant (but obviously lost on some who found it 'wooden'), enhanced by a set of very comic characters. It's refreshing to see actors from a wider pool employed instead of the same-old same-old hi-popularity niche.

The choreography fits the music like a glove - one of the best sex scenes ever. :-) Don't get put off by the nay-sayers - they'd probably not enjoy street theatre either.

Having just watched this on DVD, I feel this could have been so much better and funnier. Having a comedy writer on board might have made the weird village residents even more funnier and over the top, added a few more funny situations, as it was a lot of the villagers were standing around and doing nothing in the film, in my view a missed opportunity. Also perhaps being a British comedy film there could have been some famous faces doing cameos, perhaps the budget didn't run to this, shame, Micheal Gambons role could have been played by any actor, then they could have brought in some comedy actors/icons instead. Damian Lewis for me isn't a comedy actor, an assassin yes, but a baker no. Would his character have buried his expensive "tools of his trade" in a hole in the ground for anyone to find I don't think so and would he have made a living in a small Welsh village selling such terrible bread and cakes, no. If you want to see a really funny British comedy film try Death at a Funeral, with lots of very funny, British comedy actors, mind you it was directed by Frank Oz(an American born in the UK)who got good performances from the actors, probably had a bigger budget, but a British comedy all the same like they used to produce out of Ealing in the 50's/60's.

The Baker will make you laugh but not as much as it should have done.

Damian Lewis, later of Black Sails and Band of Brothers fame stars in this quirky English film as the affable lead who is an assassin searching for love. He makes his way to Gwynfyd where he decides to try his hand at baking. The townspeople of Gwynfyd themselves are an odd bunch and Milo, our would be assassin tries to fit in.

A movie that is reminiscent of A Knights Tale, in that it does not take itself seriously, pokes fun at itself, the main leads back then are next to nobodys when the movie was made and overall, a light-hearted silly film that you can enjoy once. It certainly wont win any awards but is worth a watch on a night in when you dont want anything too serious or intense.

Assassin Milo (Damian Lewis) is having second thoughts about his latest target when rival Bjorn (Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau) takes the shot. Their organization assigns his termination to Bjorn. Milo escapes into the Welsh countryside to property owned by his mentor Leo (Michael Gambon). He's burying his gun case when he is hit by an exploding sheep head. After cared for by Rhiannon (Kate Ashfield), he is mistaken for a baker taking on the alias Milo Shakespeare. Eggs is a local youth who blew up the sheep and stolen his guns. Soon, rumors of Milo as a hired assassin spread and some people actually have jobs for him.

The town folks are dark and wacky but not necessarily funny. They are not that appealing. This is a dark comedy which needs more comedy. Damian Lewis has great dead-pan mannerisms. He's able to inject some quirkiness but he needs a comedic partner. This has potential for something outrageously funny but it never really gets there.