The Hot Potato

Period piece. Brits ken and dan find a hunk of uranium and triy to sell it for cash. Although this sounds so similar to a u.s. Film from 1950, maybe 1960. The opening credits state: based on a true story by kenneth sneath. Stars ray winstone, jack huston. With all the wacky underworld characters they meet, and their own greed, it's something of a farce. And now that word is out, the thugs are out to knock em off and just take the uranium without paying. We're off to roma. With the germans and the american. It's an international heist! It's okay. No big surprises. Written and directed by tim lewiston.

The premise for this so-called 60's style Brit caper sounded intriguing...except that only Ray Winstone has any sort of character or charisma.

Where the likes of Terry Thomas and Peter Sellers had oodles of fizz and bang and entertained us, when the script was a dud, this is just a dud all round. The other characters - and their actors I've already forgotten, ten minutes after it's finished. They might as well been office furniture for all their presence and acting.

The script is obvious and rather boring as we now know all about Plutonium - it has no excitement value whatsoever. The movie seemed to have the budget of a TV pilot 'special' - it's so obviously struggling that it's rather embarrassing. The direction, too, is particularly feeble, without any panache or style whatsoever.

I've been generous with my 3/10. It's not going to be too awful for those that might buy the DVD if they have a good idea of what sort of movie they're getting but for most Hot Potato is a waste of time and effort. And, yes, I do enjoy and own many of the old genuine 60's films on DVD - Too Many Crooks, for example - brilliant! Buy that instead!

In 2011's 1969-based true-tale Brit dramedy "The Hot Potato" two East End London wide-boys, Ray Winstone (married to Louise Redknapp) & Jack Huston, come across a huge chunk of enriched uranium (as you do) that with Huston's gf Lois Winstone (Ray's actual daughter) via mob connection Colm Meaney & 'middle man' Derren Nesbitt (excellent) they look to sell to the highest bidder in Europe. A double crossing twisty caper ensues (also involving the CIA (David Harewood) & minor support from the likes of Stephen Marcus & Phil Davis). Debut writer / director Tim Lewinston does let the pace even out too much beyond halfway, but still, it's jaunty & enjoyable fare.

The trailer for this came up as a YouTube recommendation, have to say I'd never even heard of it, but watched the trailer and was intrigued, so purchased the blu ray.

Well, from start to finish, this was an absolute delight, great storyline, fantastic cast, everyone played their part superbly, great cinematography, well recorded sound wise, just brilliant entertainment.

There were twists aplenty, and there wasn't a dull moment throughout its running time.

How is it we can make great films like this, but they don't seem to catch the publics attention or imagination? I just don't get it, like I say I'd never heard of it, so perhaps it wasn't particularly well publicised?

I note some reviewers say they didn't like the music, I completely disagree apart from the end song which mentioned 1972! Whats that all about? It was great to hear The Carnaby's 'Jump and Dance', in there.

Cannot recommend this highly enough. Watch it!

Gorgeously-shot geezer-fest with a lovely colour palette and a soft heart. It tells a simple, quite satisfying story and stars some top British actors - Winstone, Meaney etc. The film is enjoyable and warm- hearted, despite being a bit predictable in its plot. The violence is cartoonish and often funny, and the level of threat is minimal. Self-parodying at times, the film also recalls the Carry On films and sixties classics like Alfie and The Ipcress File (especially in the music - though The Ipcess File is much darker, obviously). The set design is always beautiful, with lots of period detail. There are some nice European locations too. Charming.