The Baker

This film is absolutely hilarious!!! I hope this film gets released in the US (I've seen it via a Hungarian DVD). Those of you in the UK, take note: The DVD is released in the UK on March 3, 2008. For anyone (anywhere in the world) seeking something to make them laugh and smile, this is an excellent choice! If this film is within your reach, by cinema or DVD, seek it out.

Writer-director Gareth Lewis provides a great story, excellently told with lots of refreshing originality, tons of laughs, and perfect casting throughout. Damian Lewis is absolutely wonderful in the lead role, displaying the perfect blend of comedy, action and romance. Hats off, bravo and well done to everyone involved in this immensely enjoyable and entertaining film! APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE! :-)

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.

"The Baker", or The "Assassin in Love" as it is called in the U.S., is an awesomely delightful and twisted black dramedy from the UK. No one does these better than they. Most of this movie is shot in the lovely and surprisingly sunny Welsh countryside which keeps the tone light and upbeat. And, this is the paradox - a light/black comedy/drama presented as easily as two happy children skipping down the sidewalk.

Italia provides the cadence through the joyful 'que sera' of songs like "Volare" sung by the cast (miss you DeanO), "Jump the Line" crooned by Belefonte, and the "Gopher Mambo". The rhythm and pace of the whole package simply envelopes the watcher.

I love Damien Lewis, but the entire cast was a joyous surprise. When all was done, I was reminded (in a tiny, wee twisty sort of way) of the movie "Chocolat". Gareth Lewis, brother of Damien, wrote and directed this sublime piece of pleasure and if you can't enjoy it, you probably don't have a sense of humor. ;^) 10/28/2010

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.

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.