LUCKY BREAK

Britain, 2001, 108 minutes, Colour.
James Nesbitt, Olivia Williams, Timothy Spall, Bill Nighy, Lennie James, Ron Cook, Christopher Plummer, Julian Barrett.
Directed by Peter Cataneo.

A very entertaining film. It was heavily advertised as 'from the director of The Full Monty'. The Full Monty was one of the most successful British films at box-offices all around the world. It was eventually nominated for a Best Film Oscar, quite a coup for a modest comedy coming out of Sheffield.

The director, Peter Cattaneo, tried to play down comparisons with The Full Monty. It raises too many expectations, which is unfair. On its own merits, Lucky Break is enjoyable.

The other line used in advertising was 'an escapist comedy'. Now that is quite accurate. It is a prison film with inmates planning to get out. It is also escapist in the sense that it does not pretend to be reality - almost everyone is quite nice (no matter what got them into prison) except a spick-and-span, mean martinet of a warder and a bullying prisoner. Needless to say, they both get their comeuppance.

What we have is Jimmy Hands (played by James Nesbitt with an engaging Irish brogue and a touch of blarney under his rather thin tough veneer) and Rudy (Lenny James) who have not had much luck in their crime career. As the film opens they have even less and give new meaning to a botched bank robbery. But that gets them inside where most of the lags would have been at home in old British jail comedies with Peter Sellers like The Wrong Arm of the Law.

In a way, there are similarities with The Full Monty although, I hasten to add, there is no sex bar a few kisses, no violence and only one swear word uttered and that by the exasperated leading lady. (Which makes things easier for a reviewer and more comfortable for audiences who have been put off by the frankness of films over recent years.) In The Full Monty, the unemployed men rehearsed for and then put on their full monty show. Here it is much more genteel. The governor of the prison (Christopher Plummer obviously enjoying the whimsy of his role) has a penchant for musical theatre. He has even written one, Nelson, the Musical. (The lyrics for the songs have been written by Stephen Fry.) What better than put on the show - and use it as a cover for an escape!

There is plenty of potential for laughs in the situation. But there is also a great deal of comedy in some of the characters, especially the always excellent Timothy Spall, the butt of the warden's animosity, but rising to the occasion as the musician for the show, and Bill Nighy as 'a creative accountant' with a penchant for the ironic remark and a desire to play George III. There are also some serious moments with Olivia Williams as a prison social worker who falls in love with Jimmy and does not approve of escape plans. There are some sad moments with Timothy Spall.

But, all in all, it works very nicely. An alert - there are some humorous character bits during the final credits, right to the end with Timothy Spall singing Sonny.

1. The director's follow-up to The Full Monty? The unfair comparisons, fair comparisons? The structure of the group, their situation, the putting on a show, the rehearsals, the successful show?

2. British comedy, situations, characters, irony, deadpan, parody? A nice blend in this film?

3. The prison setting: the exteriors, the interiors - expected, different? A "nice" prison?

4. The title, every prisoner's desire to escape? The lucky break of hearing about the play, the rehearsals, the plan for the escape, the alternative plan? A lucky break for Jimmy to meet Annabelle?

5. The strength of the cast, character actors, their skills at creating characters quickly and with style? The musical, the lyrics and the music, the humorous parody of musical theatre?

6. Jimmy and his telling the story? His relationship with Rudy? The fact of their being unsuccessful? The last job, holding up the bank, the barrier coming down, Rudy trapped, Jimmy running away, the police pursuing? The means of getting the both into the prison? The routines of entry into the prison - the search, the food, the cells?

7. Jimmy as a character, the Irish background, on the streets, wanting to be tough? A romantic at heart? His going into the cell with Cliff, the discussions with Cliff, sharing his perspective? Meeting Annabelle and his tough attitude towards her? Going to the classes, the role-playing and his asking questions? The interview with the governor - and capitalising on hearing the singing from South Pacific, talking about the original record?

8. The lucky break with the governor, his style, musical theatre, his explanation about being in the group? Pride in his own composition? The possibility of putting it on? His happily going to the rehearsals, the auditions? His speaking nobly about Nelson? The rehearsals, the music, his being moved? Cliff's death and his having to stand in to play the piano? His joy at the final achievement - despite the escape?

9. Jimmy trying to persuade Rudy to be part of the play? The clashes with Rudy in the prison because of the accusations of running away? Their reconciliation? Going round all the convicts and getting so many refusals? The scheme for the phone card and getting them all to come? The choice of roles, Roger wanting to be George III? Annabelle being forced to be Lady Hamilton? Jimmy as the only one standing for Nelson, Rudy mirroring life with being Hardy? The rehearsals, the singing, the dancing, the humorous lyrics? The build-up to the performance, people getting involved, its success?

10. Paul as drama coach, his working with the men, his being diffident, accepting their suggestions? Becoming more greatly involved - a stereotype but enjoyably presented? On-side with Jimmy and Annabelle at the end?

11. Cliff, the false accusations, running the yellow light? His praise of his cell - and seeing a cow outside? Musical? Talking with Jimmy, proud of his son, the visit and the revelation that his wife was seeing someone else? His continually being put upon by Perry, the tearing up of his letters? His accepting it and wanting to do his time? Stepping in with the music, enjoying playing? The final humiliation and his going over the edge, hanging himself? (And his pleasant "resurrection" with playing "Sunny" at the end of the film - and the deadpan comment about the song going on?)

12. Roger, apologising, aristocratic, the creative accountant, his friendship with Darren, father figure? The issue of the escape, his finally agreeing? Darren and his being an arsonist, getting the model of the key, wanting to get out? Roger and the visit from Amy and the plan, her urging him on, and her finally bringing the plane at the end?

13. Perry and his harshness, martinet, treatment of Cliff, knowing that there was a plot, falling for their trap, his exasperation at the end?

14. John Toombes and his domination, people being wary, his demanding to go, their setting up an alternate plan - and his being caught?

15. Annabelle and her dedication to her work, trying to rehabilitate the criminals, clashing with Perry? Her classes, the humour of the role-plays, especially with Lennie? Lennie and his tomatoes and going berserk - and finally offering the pomodoro to Jimmy and Annabelle? Her clashes with Jimmy, getting to know him, rehearsing, romance, the dinner together? Her realisation that he wanted to escape, her stance? Happy that he came back? Meeting him after he had finished his time?

16. The range of other prisoners, at their work, rehearsals, interactions, performance, the escape?

17. The details of the escape, Toombes being caught, Perry being deceived? The ladders, the disguise, Roger and Darren escaping with Rudy and the comments on how good the play was?

18. The final credits and the glimpses of the various characters and the final touch to the comedy?