The James Gang (1997)
Director: Mike Barker
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
With its stylish cinematography, eye catching direction and groovy pop soundtrack, this is a British first feature (Scottish characters, Welsh locations) that desperately wants to be hip. Helen McCrory, who gave her all in Karl Francis' Streetlife, is similarly committed here, as the mum trying to hold her family together by launching an impromptu crime spree - though errant husband Hannah and trailing policewoman Collette don't really have the grit required. What's more, Stuart Hepburn's script never begins to carry the weight that would justify the involvement of McCrory's children in the various robberies, or lend conviction to the characterisation.Author: TJ
Cast & crew
Director: Mike Barker
Producer: Andrew Eaton
Cast: John Hannah, Helen McCrory, Jason Flemyng, Toni Collette, Darren Brownlie, David Brownlie, Lauren McMurray, Tim Woodward full cast
Duration: 95 mins
Most popular on this site
Features
Chicago International Film Festival preview
Mark Ruffalo cons us into liking The Brothers Bloom, plus early tips on films and surviving the fest.
Chain gang
Miranda July's "video chain letters" for women filmmakers get some respect at the Siskel.
Mister nice guy
Greg Kinnear brings his affability to a flawed hero.
Radical visions
British filmmaker Derek Jarman gets a much-deserved reconsideration at the Siskel Film Center.
Toronto International Film Festival
The Wrestler aside, the least-hyped films at Toronto were the most exciting.
Summer school
Six lessons we learned at the multiplex this summer.
Head trip
Fall preview: Charlie Kaufman's Synecdoche, New York is one of the most mind-bending films of the season.



What do you think?
Post your review now