The Toll

Yes, David Lynch was the name that hit my head when I was watching this, of course it's not into a league of great movies. But still the slow pace, character build up, the grim backdrop, and the background music all blended well. Both the lead actors and most of the others did a fair job. Overall it's a good movie, a real movie, way better than the netflix junks.

I struggled with 'The Toll' for the first half hour or so as I found the plot to be muddled and all over the place. Gradually though things fell into place and made some kind of sense. At times this movie tries way too hard to be quirky and the influence from other movies is blatantly obvious. 'Fargo', 'Pulp Fiction' and any spaghetti western you care to mention spring to mind. Elements of Tarantino. Guy Ritchie and Sergio Leonne are so obvious that it can detract from the overall impact of this movie.

I did enjoy it though, especially after the first half of the movie. Yes, it does try too hard to be clever, but it is worth a watch.

This movie was made by a Welsh lover of Quentin Tarantino and Ennio Morricone, unfortunately having the talent of neither; although it was enjoyable in parts, it felt like an extended sunday night TV programme, rather than a movie. One comment I will make is to the reviewer who doesn't understand the need for subtitles. Most foreigners, including Americans can't understand UK accents or keep up with our pace of speech.

I have no idea why this film has been rated so low, 5.5 stars. Personally I thought that the actors were all good, the set pieces funny and the story an interesting divergence from the usual boredom that is life in Wales. I wasn't blown away by the comedy but I did get a good few laughs, my big hangup would be the soundtrack although, I'm sure this film was working with a tight budget and it gets the job done. I liked the camera work, the cinematography was excellently done and while I think that the story may not be everyone's cup of tea it is good. When watching the film you can pick out the inspirations the director and screen writer had. Namely I would guess Tarantino, Edgar Wright and Wes Anderson, also possibly Monty Python. I don't think the film hits the same heights as it's contemporaries but still it is enjoyable. I reluctantly live in Wales so perhaps that is why I got the humour and it just doesn't translate well over seas, either way I can see myself watching this film again in the future.

7/10 but could be pushed to an 8 on further viewings.

Americans bemuse me, asking for bloody subtitles, yet i seem to understand all of your accents? No wonder the world says 'dumb yanks'. On point, what an excellent little indie, full of the cream of British actors/comedians. Tight as a gnats chuff script, great acting and cinematography and lovely dark humour peppered throughout. Again i don't give 8's lightly but come on...Subtitles? (it had them for the welsh bits) Go and watch a bit of World cinema (And not Hollywood crud) this film was great. Well deserving of the 8, as it was written brilliantly. Meh, heathens make my blood boil. Anyway 8+ (just to anger the stupid)