Bad Tidings

Watched Bad Tidings last night the much hyped Sky comedy with Lee Mack and Chris McCauseland.

What a wasted opportunity.

It starts out okay, with the two comics as opposite neighbours who hate each other, McCauseland winding up Mack because he likes having someone who doesn't treat him with kid gloves because he's blind. There's a few good interactions and I did laugh a few times, too.

It all goes to hell when the two are left in charge of their street after a power outage on Christmas Eve meaning others have to leave to be with family or whatever as there's to be no heat or light etc over Christmas.

Cue local villain family deciding to go on the rob, and the two enemies trying to stop them. Of course, they become friends under adversity, because of course they do. The villains are appallingly written and acted (by a some otherwise decent actors, too), and much of the 'action' is too dark to see clearly which doesn't help.

Maybe setting it at night in houses with no lights wasn't the smartest idea...

I ended up being pretty bored and not caring how they inevitable victory was achieved. The two leads are pretty unlikable, never a good idea, and I got the feeling Lee Mack really should have been brought in as a writer as well, as half an hour of 'Not Going Out' has three times the laughs of this bloated soon to be forgotten holiday 'special'

2 out of 5.

Reading some of the reviews on here, it's as though people are expecting a big budget blockbuster movie.

It's a Sky made-for-TV movie made on a low budget.

It's basically an extended episode of Lee Mack's BBC Sitcom, "Not Going Out". If you enjoy that show and the ridiculously implausible storylines, you'll like this film. Lee plays Neil and the actor who plays his wife is very similar to the actor who plays Lucy in Not Hoing Out.

Lee Mack and Chris McCausland's styles of comedy blend together well. It is all a bit silly, a bit implausible and over the top, but it's a fun romp that you can put on and not have to think about too much. Not everything has to be an epic work of cinema. It's fun. It's an easy watch. It's family-friendly.

It won't be winning an Oscar (or even an NTA) but it's a fun is a fun 1hr20 of mindless humour and perfect for the festive season.

Bad Tidings is a simple TV movie in the time-tested Christmas tradition but a surprisingly charming one at that. The movie is elevated appreciably above mediocrity thanks to the kinetic duo of Lee Mack's animated slapstick performance juxtaposed brilliantly with Chris McCausland's deadpan eccentricity; the two comedians do a great job winding each other up and playing off one another. This isn't too surprising to me, as someone who was already a fan of their work on Would I Lie to You, but the movie does a good job of capturing an essence of their comedic styling that could've easily been missed. This all combined with a solid script that can elicit some genuine laughs and you've got a competent if unambitious and well-tread Christmas movie. The plot isn't amazing but it's functional and brief enough to not overstay its welcome. It starts out strong enough with the predictable but well executed neighborly one-ups-manship which ultimately serves to set-up a rather lackluster derivative of the Home Alone premise; except, instead of being a kid protecting one house from two burglars, it's two grown men protecting a whole neighborhood from four burglars but the action plays out much the way you'd expect. While that's definitely the weakest aspect of the movie, at around an 80 minute runtime, it never drags on and the formula still manages to be endearing enough to have the whole thing feel worth while.

In conclusion: while Bad Tidings certainly doesn't break any new ground, when approached with the right expectations: it's a competently made TV movie, an effective Christmas treat, and a satisfying comedy vehicle for Lee Mack and Chris Causland.

Review of 2024 Bad Tidings

Not bad-a tight little film that has its shortcomings but could well become a slow burner. Sure, it's cheesy, with an abundant array of simplistic characterizations, but that's part of its charm. Add to that a fair few predictable jokes and action sequences, and you might think you've seen it all before. Yet, surprisingly, it's thoroughly enjoyable.

What really gives this TV film a massive, understated buoyancy is the writing-frankly, it's brilliant. Sharp, clever, and undeniably self-aware, the script elevates Bad Tidings beyond its modest production values and cliched setups. That alone could well make this a modern-day classic in the vein of cult favorites. Let's see how it ages, but I wouldn't be surprised if it quietly amasses a loyal following over time.

The performances are solid, with Lee Mack's comedic timing anchoring the lighter moments and Chris McCausland delivering a refreshingly dry wit that perfectly complements the film's tone. Their chemistry is palpable, carrying the story through even its more far-fetched twists.

But the real surprise comes right at the end, with a standout performance by the news reporter-a brief but striking turn that adds an unexpected layer of gravitas. With such talent and striking looks, the actor delivers a high-impact visual and emotional punch that lingers long after the credits roll.

It's not perfect-far from it-but 2024 Bad Tidings is more than the sum of its parts. It's entertaining, well-written, and oddly endearing, making it well worth a watch. Who knows? This might just be one of those films we look back on and wonder how it flew under the radar.

I read these reviews and no one mentions how this was written by Chris. There's a lovely scene where his character talks about how he doesnt want to be treated like a baby and that bonds him with Lees character. Perfect for the conclusion where they face the bad guys.

Fun comedic moments and characters. Lee + Chris are a good double act, but Chris is the funnier of the two.

I loved him on strictly and enjoyed watching him doing his own stunts and bantering with Lee. Was a good christmas feel good film with some heart and a nice takeaway message.

Not sure why its got negative reviews, some people like to moan.