A radio journalist and his technician get in over their heads when they hatch a scheme to fake their own kidnapping during a rebel uprising in South America and hide out in New York instead.A radio journalist and his technician get in over their heads when they hatch a scheme to fake their own kidnapping during a rebel uprising in South America and hide out in New York instead.A radio journalist and his technician get in over their heads when they hatch a scheme to fake their own kidnapping during a rebel uprising in South America and hide out in New York instead.
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- Stars
- Perry
- (as Glen Grant)
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Featured reviews
But, it is just a nice film to watch. I would regard it as casual, it's one of them movies you go , well i have a couple hours to kill might as well see that.
Great movie to have on in the background.
It's slow paced relatively predictable, i do think it contains more English humor then American, but i don't think it's meant to do real big laugh out loud moments.
Not every movie should have you on the edge of your seat.
Happily watch it again
If you like Ricky Gervais's work then this is of the highest order. I understand many won't get the British humour, the anti-hero, the underdog, the ironic situations, the self-deprecation, etc etc. But if you do this is a gem.
Admittedly the film has a slow start but does build, as the film continued I got more into it and was eventually gripped even though it was quite predictable the direction it was heading in. For me Ricky's on-screen presence makes it automatically feel-good, especially for me as I'm a fan of his work. Occasionally throwing some funny one-liners in, occasionally sounding like his character of Andy Millman from Extras which for me helped keep the Ricky we know and love current. Eric Bana was a great choice to play the main reporter, at first I thought it would be like sticking Arnie with David Jason kind of combo but they play well off each other and have great chemistry, Eric as we know is Australian so a convincing American accent was spot on.
Overall, ignore the harsh reviews, I know it's opinion but let's face it, they ain't got a clue what a genius Ricky is, it's not always about the comedy, the film isn't hilarious but is quite funny in places, Ricky has tried his hand here at something else and I believe pulled it off well. Highly recommended if you love Ricky's work and want to see him try something different then go for it, 9/10 is a deserved rating!
Ricky Gervais always makes me laugh and keeps me entertained, a perfect comedian definately in my top 5. Defaibtely an underrated movie that deserves aay more attention, I wish I discovered it sooner.
I dont know what it was about this film but I thought it was an incredible watch, deserves way more than under 6 stars which is why I've given it a 9. I loved it!
Highly recommend!
Kelly Macdonald is the co-worker who falls for the beleagured Ricky Gervais. Gervais plays his usual role of the down-trodden common man who is under-appreciated. No jokes or one-liners here, just humor.
Most of the story is pretty warm-hearted interaction between the characters. America Ferrera steals a few scenes with the warmth and friendliness of her character, who plays the local bar / taco shop owner that helps Gervais and Bana pull off their radio news scam.
Eric Bana is playing the straight man to Gervais, and is a bit of a villain too. This movie reminded me of the old Abbott and Costello films. The chemistry between Bana and Gervais was straight from them. Like most of the old Abbott and Costello films, it was innocent fun with good intentions.
Did you know
- TriviaWhile in Toronto during production, Ricky Gervais donated a personally owned guitar used in the film to the Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary. Gervais posted two links to the eBay auction for the guitar during the period he was hosting the Golden Globes in attempts to help the sanctuary raise funds for much needed extension work. The guitar was purchased by Danny Young, a well respected musician in the guitar industry, who used the guitar to help the sanctuary with further fund raising. Gervais is well known on social media for animal welfare activism.
- GoofsThe Aircraft Frank and Finch return home from Ecuador IN shows the registration number AS being simply "GSTG". In actuality, this Bombardier Challenger 605 has the Canadian registration number of "C-GSTG", the Canadian International code prefix of "C-" having been OBVIOUSLY whited out. Had this been an Ecuadorian civil aircraft, it would have an "HC-" prefix, and thus would have been "HC-GSTG".
- Quotes
[last lines]
Ian Finch: We seem to be walking to Manhattan - I guess.
Claire Maddox: I have coffee, so...
Ian Finch: You didn't want milk, did you?
Claire Maddox: I *did*.
Ian Finch: Okay, you good. 'Cuz there's a shop on this side, by now. We're probably not allowed to go across there...
Claire Maddox: This is like the end of a movie.
Ian Finch: A low bidget movie, maybe.
- Crazy credits"Trailer Puppy .... Charlie"
- SoundtracksSpanish Stroll
Written by Willy DeVille
Performed by Mink DeVille
© 1977 Willy DeVille
Published by Nina Lagerwall / Jockamo Music (BMI) and Warner/Chappell Music Inc.
Courtesy of Capital Records LLC
Under license from Universal Music Operations Ltd.
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Details
- Runtime1 hour 41 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1