I was almost put off this film by ubercritic Philip French's savage review in the Observer: "a risible Scottish fiasco". Ouch! But it's very much better than that - as the high rating by IMDB voters suggests.
What Mr French seems to have missed is that this is a comedy - a deliciously dark comedy. The script plays with cliched genres such as the road movie and the horror movie - with subtle twists and knowing jokes. And although its tongue is always firmly in its cheek, it has interesting things to say about the crazy ways we try to deal with problems in life...
Any director exploring the funny side of madness, murder, shamanism, assisted suicide, crucifiction, and immolation is taking a bit of a risk. But on the whole, David MacKenzie pulls off his debut with aplomb. There are excellent performances from brother Alistair MacKenzie, the fragrant Victoria Smurfitt and the usual Scottish suspects, and a standout soundtrack from Glasgow unit The Pastels.
Quite a funky and thought-provoking night out - well worth seeing.
What Mr French seems to have missed is that this is a comedy - a deliciously dark comedy. The script plays with cliched genres such as the road movie and the horror movie - with subtle twists and knowing jokes. And although its tongue is always firmly in its cheek, it has interesting things to say about the crazy ways we try to deal with problems in life...
Any director exploring the funny side of madness, murder, shamanism, assisted suicide, crucifiction, and immolation is taking a bit of a risk. But on the whole, David MacKenzie pulls off his debut with aplomb. There are excellent performances from brother Alistair MacKenzie, the fragrant Victoria Smurfitt and the usual Scottish suspects, and a standout soundtrack from Glasgow unit The Pastels.
Quite a funky and thought-provoking night out - well worth seeing.