British comedy on target

A LONG time ago I read a book entitled English Humour for Beginners, in that book the author, George Mikes, said: "English humour resembles the Loch Ness Monster in that both are famous but there is suspicion that neither exists. Here the similarity ends - the Loch Ness Monster seems to be a gentle beast that harms no one; English humour is cruel."

I can think of no better way to illustrate the quotation than this movie because the delivery, subject matter and cast are all quintessentially English.

It is rare that a British comedy has so many talent actors all working together to deliver a film that is so clever that my head was left spinning.

Admittedly, this film is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but for some reason it resonated with me and left me feeling oddly proud to be British.

It features an all-star cast compromising of Emily Blunt, Bill Nighy, Rupert Grint, and Rupert Everett who all deliver an effortless charm and create a very British world of killers, fools and miscreants.

Victor Maynard is the personification of the British way of life, carrying on the family business (even if that business is assassination), in an attempt to appease his late father and his wheelchair-bound mother who is spending her golden years in a retirement home.

The opening sequence sets the tone for the entire film. Victor casually enters a building while reciting some French words he's been learning, seconds later the body of his victim hits the pavement as Victor leaves ... still rambling to himself in French.

This is Victor's life, balancing a mundane and seemingly normal existance with a deeply disturbing secret. He's great with guns, but when it comes to shooting off at the mouth, he somehow falls short.

Things heat up when he is hired to kill an art thief named Rose after she sells a 'knock off' painting to a dodgy businessman who goes by the name of Ferguson. It all seems straightforward enough until he has her in his crosshairs and inexplicably spares her life.

Obviously, Ferguson's men are unhappy with Victor's decision and attempt to take matters into their own hands. Victor intervenes and decides to flee with the pretty young woman and an unwitting chap who happens to stubble in during the altercation.

For me Nighy makes the film great with his classic deadpan humour and flawless delivery. It is his timing that makes the clever script writing come to life in an amazing way.

Credit where it is due, Blunt delivers a splendid performance as a woman who devours anything that gets in her way. She has a way of making you empathise with her character, even though, at times, she seems somewhat unrealistic.

The other unlikely hero of the movie is Rupert Grint, better known for his role as Ron in the Harry Potter franchise. It's nice to see Grint playing a role with a little more edge and stepping outside his comfort zone, although he definitely brings some Potter-esque qualities to his bumbling character.

I love a good British comedy and that is exactly what this is. However, because it's a film made by Brits, some of the gags might fly over your head if you're not from Blighty.

Nonetheless, it's an enjoyable romp with gags-a-plenty that left me with laughter cramps and the intrinsically English need for a cucumber sandwich.

Showing in Cineco, Seef II and Saar Cineplex.