patmac-3

Some would call this a 'black comedy', we are supposed to laugh at someone's death or misfortune, and it's very hard not to. Alec Baldwin plays the ruthless killer with wonderful comic timing and Fred Ward's pursuing policeman is equally engaging. My favourite line is Baldwin having stolen Fred Ward's gun and badge robs some drug dealers. He shouts, "stop police" then shoots. The wounded druggie says, "why did you shoot when I stopped" Baldwin tells him "it was a warning shot but I missed" A very underrated film and thoroughly enjoyable

The caption for this film was "Charlies father is dead, he won't lie down and he won't shut up!" Charlie is played by Martin Sheen (who also shared executive producer roles)returning to his home town in Southern Ireland to attend to his late father's (Barnard Hughes) affairs. from here he relives his childhood and confronts the past with comic results. the comedy is in the dialogue rather than the action. The film avoids Irish cliches and captures 1950's Ireland well.

Some may say this film doesn't know where it is going, it starts as a drama, then a thriller, a musical, a comedy and back to a drama. It was a mixture to be enjoyed. Nick Nolte fans should not be disappointed. This was a low budget venture and it doesn't show. The casting director certainly earned their money on this one with a rich mix of character actors who today are very well known but maybe not at the time this was made. One for the collection.