After his train runs over two people in two weeks, Paul Callow becomes fed up with life. But when he learns that if he has another fatal accident he'll be offered early retirement and ten years' salary, Paul hilariously searches for a willing volunteer. Starring Gemma Arterton, Colm Meaney and Imelda Staunton. Review: An Under-Appreciated Gem - This movie flew under the radar for most of us in the United States and the rest of the world. It’s a hilarious and unexpectedly sweet love story, set against a darkly comical story about realistic issues with depression and suicide. Believe me that it really does achieve the perfect balance of poignancy with hilarity!! This movie is like lemonade: It has a sour flavor that’s perfectly complimented by its unconventionally sugary sweetness. Suicide is one of the LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH FOR MEN around the world, and yet it seems like we never seen any movies or other stories that really take a bracing look at that...while also showing there is hope and more to life. This movie doesn’t flinch at stating that hard topic in the face, while magically managing to make it believable, poignant and even funny. I’m not giving anything away in saying I think that the second to last scene is why this movie didn’t play well in other places in the world. Just be opened to seeing all sides of a difficult topic, with frankness and good humor. It’s not REAL, after all, but it’s still full of meaning. Not everyone will get it or be willing to accept the premise, but you have to be willing to accept that not every story has to have the ending we expect for it to still be happy. I find this story heartwarming in a way almost no other movie I’ve seen has ever been. Maybe it’s because I’ve actually BEEN a railroad conductor, that I know how much this story means...but I saw it before I ever worked on the railroad and I loved it then too. I think any of you who gives this movie a try will agree with me that it’s a forgotten treasure, and I bet that if you don’t buy it here, then you may never see it available anywhere else. It’s full of awesome 1990s Englishness and punk/goth reminiscence, while keeping you on your toes as far as where the story is going... This is a comedy like you’ve never seen before, no matter how many dark comedies you may have seen. Give it a try and I think you’ll be glad you did. If you already have seen it, then you might as well purchase it while you still can...This movie isn’t well-known enough to be easy to get in the future!! This is a great movie for the true dark comedy movie-lover!! If you have a girlfriend who has an appreciation of atypical romantic comedies, this has them all beat...It will stick with you, making you laugh while making you think all the way. Review: Open mind. - Funny funny.
| Contributor | Colm Meaney, Gemma Arterton, Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Gershfield, Mackenzie Crook |
| Customer Reviews | 3.8 out of 5 stars 159 Reviews |
| Format | Color, Dolby, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Widescreen |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Language | English |
| Runtime | 1 hour and 39 minutes |
R**N
An Under-Appreciated Gem
This movie flew under the radar for most of us in the United States and the rest of the world. It’s a hilarious and unexpectedly sweet love story, set against a darkly comical story about realistic issues with depression and suicide. Believe me that it really does achieve the perfect balance of poignancy with hilarity!! This movie is like lemonade: It has a sour flavor that’s perfectly complimented by its unconventionally sugary sweetness. Suicide is one of the LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH FOR MEN around the world, and yet it seems like we never seen any movies or other stories that really take a bracing look at that...while also showing there is hope and more to life. This movie doesn’t flinch at stating that hard topic in the face, while magically managing to make it believable, poignant and even funny. I’m not giving anything away in saying I think that the second to last scene is why this movie didn’t play well in other places in the world. Just be opened to seeing all sides of a difficult topic, with frankness and good humor. It’s not REAL, after all, but it’s still full of meaning. Not everyone will get it or be willing to accept the premise, but you have to be willing to accept that not every story has to have the ending we expect for it to still be happy. I find this story heartwarming in a way almost no other movie I’ve seen has ever been. Maybe it’s because I’ve actually BEEN a railroad conductor, that I know how much this story means...but I saw it before I ever worked on the railroad and I loved it then too. I think any of you who gives this movie a try will agree with me that it’s a forgotten treasure, and I bet that if you don’t buy it here, then you may never see it available anywhere else. It’s full of awesome 1990s Englishness and punk/goth reminiscence, while keeping you on your toes as far as where the story is going... This is a comedy like you’ve never seen before, no matter how many dark comedies you may have seen. Give it a try and I think you’ll be glad you did. If you already have seen it, then you might as well purchase it while you still can...This movie isn’t well-known enough to be easy to get in the future!! This is a great movie for the true dark comedy movie-lover!! If you have a girlfriend who has an appreciation of atypical romantic comedies, this has them all beat...It will stick with you, making you laugh while making you think all the way.
A**R
Open mind.
Funny funny.
P**Y
Great little sleeper film
I saw this film when it was originally titled "A Deal is a Deal" at the Cleveland International Film Festival and loved it. I wish this film got more notice because of the well-written script and great cast. This is a dark comedy that has a lot of heart - a real must-see film.
K**T
Fun movie!
If you like British humor, this movie is for you. The acting is top notch and the story is very entertaining.
K**D
A suicide pact with a twist
Two individuals make a suicide pact. The individual who will assist, meets the family of the proposed 'victim'. Gemma Arterton (St Trinians) and Mackenzie Crook (Pirates of the Caribbean) make this film (Although Colm Meaney (Star Trek Next Generation) preforms brilliantly). Despite the rather gruesome plot, the storyline has a happy outcome.
D**S
Don’t get it
I like Mackenzie crook but this movie was awful! I’d rate it lower if one star was not as low as it goes. Watch his the “Detectorists” instead and don’t waste your time on this.
R**D
EXCELLENT MOVIE
This movie is EXCELLENT. I have watched it 3 times already. It surprised me how good it is.
R**H
Four Stars
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